# NTSB SEA89LA110: Cessna 172, N1365E, Chemult, OR, June 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1989, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Chemult, OR
- Coordinates: 43.250961, -123.240142 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2510&lon=-123.2401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA110

## Probable cause

IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN A SUDDEN ALTITUDE DEVIATION, AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING REMEDIAL ACTION TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TREES.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE THE DOWNDRAFTS, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, THE PILOT DIVERTING ATTENTION, AND THE TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Altitude deviation,uncontrolled, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT & PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING AN EAGLE SURVEY FLT. THEY MADE A PASS OVER AN EAGLE'S NEST, NORTH OF LEMOLO LAKE TO COUNT NEWLY HATCHED EAGLETS, BUT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT DESCENDED TO ABOUT 400 FT AGL & WAS ON THE 2ND PASS, WHEN THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED DOWNDRAFTS. HE SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP A RAPID DESCENT IN TIME TO AVOID IMPACT WITH TREES. THE TERRAIN IN THAT AREA SLOPED UPWARD TO THE NORTH TO A BUTTE. ABOUT 52 MI WEST AT ROSEBURG, OR, THE 1548 PDT WIND WAS FROM 340 DEG AT 8 KTS. DENSITY ALT AT THE ACDNT SITE WAS COMPUTED TO BE 5570 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1365E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1365E-1991-10-07), registration cancelled 1991-10-07, S/N 17270970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270970
- Airframe hours: 2171
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Operator: Paul Cap, doing business as Hedlund Construction
- Registered owner: Hedlund Contractors
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 12, 1988, 148 hours before
- Departed: S21, SUNRIVER, OR
- Destination: LMT, KLAMATH FALLS, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,700 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 8,591 as pilot in command, 49 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RBG, 52 nm away

## 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 19890612020689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890612020689A), Jun 12, 1989: Cessna 172N, Chemult, OR, Destroyed. Encountered downdraft on lee side of a butte while surveying eagle nest. Unable to recover. Crashed into trees.

## Other investigations on N1365E (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA79FYK08](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYK08), Apr 17, 1979: Cessna 172N (N1365E), Bend, OR, substantial damage

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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