# NTSB SEA90FA027: Cessna 172N, N2228E, Nordland, WA, December 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 21, 1989, 13:12 local (21:12 UTC)
- Place: Nordland, WA
- Coordinates: 48.060379, -122.710929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0604&lon=-122.7109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41094
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA027
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41094/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA027

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, unknown (cause)

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PHOTOGRAPH A SAILBOAT UNDERWAY IN PUGET SOUND. AFTER CIRCLING THE BOAT 3 TIMES AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THE PILOT HEADED SOUTHBOUND TOWARD THE DEST ARPT. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED ON RADAR CLIMBING TO 1500 AGL, REVERSE COURSE AND ENTER A 1000 FPM DIVE UNTIL LOST AT 500 FT AGL.  THERE WAS NO RADIO COMM DURING THE DIVE FROM THE ACFT THAT WAS IN CONTACT WITH ATC. WITNESSES REPORTED ONLY SEEING A SPLASH AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE WRECKAGE OR OCCUPANTS COULD NOT BE LOCATED IN 500 FT DEEP WATER AND HAVE NOT BEEN RECOVERED. WEATHER WAS VFR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2228E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2228E-2003-07-16), registration cancelled 2003-07-16, S/N 17271192, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271192
- Airframe hours: 3652
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Whitney A. Shook
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 8, 1989, 47 hours before
- Departed: TIW, TACOMA, WA
- Destination: TIW

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 79; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 240 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NUW, 17 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 19891221059779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891221059779A), Dec 21, 1989: Cessna 172N, Nordland, WA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Dived into ocean after taking pictures of a boat. Possible loss of control due to haze and no horizon,sank and lost

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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