# NTSB SEA90FA065: Cessna 172M, N9021H, Incline Village, NV, April 13, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 13, 1990, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Incline Village, NV
- Coordinates: 39.240501, -119.939369 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2405&lon=-119.9394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41103
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90FA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41103/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90FA065

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE:  MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE TREES (OBSTRUCTIONS).

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE ON A STUDENT DEMO FLT, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE, THEN DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND.  ELEVATION AT THE CRASH SITE WAS 8700 FT, DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 10,140 FT, & THE ACFT WAS LOADED NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9021H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9021H-1990-12-27), registration cancelled 1990-12-27, S/N 17265904 (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: 17265904
- Airframe hours: 3831
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lisa A. Schilling
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 25, 1990, 34 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 450 total, 230 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 15 nm away

## Other investigations on N9021H (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 SEA78DYP06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DYP06), Dec 15, 1977: Cessna 172 (N9021H), Pasco, WA, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.