# NTSB SEA90LA173: Cessna 172P, N65857, Granite Falls, WA, September 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1990, 14:50 local (21:50 UTC)
- Place: Granite Falls, WA
- Coordinates: 48.049625, -121.739593 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0496&lon=-121.7396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41268
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41268/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA173

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S USE OF EXCESSIVE FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, takeoff
  - terrain condition - open field
  - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LANDED OFF AIRPORT IN A OPEN FIELD. WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF, HE SELECTED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS, DETERIORATING THE AIRCRAFT'S PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY. HE MANAGED TO CLEAR A FENCE, THEN STALLED, NOSING OVER AFTER IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65857-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 17275907, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arlington Aero, Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: S88, ARLINGTON, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 9 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: PAE, 10 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 19900902037869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900902037869A), Sep 2, 1990: Cessna 172P, Granite Falls, WA, Substantial damage. Student landed in open field then stalled clearing fence on takeoff. Not authorized by CFI.

## Other investigations on N65857 (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 SEA94LA178](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA178), Jul 13, 1994: Cessna 172P (N65857), Easton, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF TREES DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE…

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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