# NTSB SEA91LA087: Cessna 172H, Coeur D'Alene, ID, April 16, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1991, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Coeur D'Alene, ID
- Coordinates: 47.780467, -116.709564 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7805&lon=-116.7096&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41414
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91LA087
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41414/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91LA087

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGEMENT OF HIS AIRCRAFT'S CLIMB CAPABILITY WHEN FLYING TOWARDS RISING TERRAIN.  FACTORS INCLUDE HIS LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE GEOGRAPHIC AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - rising
  - climb - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE CESSNA 172 FLOATPLANE DEPARTED COUER D'ALENE LAKE IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION, ENTERING A VALLEY THAT BECAME A CANYON, WITH TERRAIN THAT ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY FASTER THAN THE AIRCRAFT WAS CLIMBING. THE PILOT DETERMINED THAT IT WAS TOO NARROW TO TURN AROUND, AND CONTINUED CLIMBING UNTIL THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK TREES ON TOP OF A SADDLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CFBET (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255248
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles S. Parnell
- Registered owner: Charles S. Parnell
- Departed: S76, BROOKS SPB, ID
- Destination: FLATHEAD LAKE, MT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 290 total, 242 in this make and model, 172 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 45° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 24 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

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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