# NTSB SEA90LA172: Cessna 172RG, N6522V, Brothers, OR, September 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1990, 18:00 local (Sep 28, 1990, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Brothers, OR
- Coordinates: 45.219921, -123.920257 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2199&lon=-123.9203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41267
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41267/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA172

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLIGHT PLANNING AND DECISIONS THAT LED TO HIM FLYING INTO RISING TERRAAIN WHILE ENGAGED IN LOW LEVEL FLIGHT ACTIVITIES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER MAKING A LOW PASS OVER A HERD OF ELK, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB TOWARD RISING TERRAIN. HE STATED THAT 'WE WERE CLIMBING, BUT THE TERRAIN WAS OUT-CLIMBING US.' HE ELECTED TO STALL AND CRASH INTO THE TREES RATHER THAN ATTEMPT A TURN DOWNSLOPE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6522V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6522V-1998-03-05), registration cancelled 1998-03-05, S/N 172RG0748 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0748
- Airframe hours: 2781
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: The Pilot Shop
- Registered owner: The Flight Shop Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 1990, 38 hours before
- Departed: S07, BEND, OR
- Airport: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 152 total, 24 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900927043399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900927043399A), Sep 27, 1990: Cessna 172RG, Brothers, OR, Substantial damage. Flying low over area of elk was unable to outclimb rising terrain. Stalled into trees.

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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