# NTSB SEA88FA023: Cessna 172M, N21460, Hillsboro, OR, November 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1987, 06:20 local (14:20 UTC)
- Place: Hillsboro, OR
- Coordinates: 45.579078, -122.909629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5791&lon=-122.9096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40710
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88FA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40710/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88FA023

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE DAILY RADIO TRAFFIC REPORTING FLIGHT WAS CLEARED FOR AN IFR DEPARTURE FROM HILLSBORO AIRPORT IN IMC. THE OWNER/ OPERATOR OF THE AIRCRAFT STATED THE COMPANY HAD A 'NO IFR' POLICY. ON TAKEOFF WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE LOWER AND SLOWER THAN NORMAL AND ABOUT 100 FT AGL PAST THE RUNWAY MIDPOINT THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SHALLOW RIGHT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH 35-FOOT TREES AND A POWERLINE 600 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE AND APPROXIMATELY 135 DEGREES OFF THE RUNWAY HEADING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS/FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21460](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21460-1988-04-07), registration cancelled 1988-04-07, S/N 17263951 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 63951
- Airframe hours: 5082
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Hillsboro Helicopters, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 20, 1987, 3 hours before
- Destination: PDX, PORTLAND, OR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: HIO, Hillsboro, runway 30, 6,600 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 699 total, 509 in this make and model, 640 as pilot in command, 244 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HIO

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19871125067199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871125067199A), Nov 25, 1987: Cessna 172M, Hillsboro, OR, Destroyed. Flew into wires and trees on an instrument takeoff at night. Inadvertently allowed the aircraft to turn and descend.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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