# NTSB SEA92FA114: Cessna 172B, N7579X, Eatonville, WA, May 22, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1992, 00:01 local (07:01 UTC)
- Place: Eatonville, WA
- Coordinates: 46.860481, -122.250823 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8605&lon=-122.2508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41581
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41581/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA114

## 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, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, AGE 84, HAD CORONARY BYPASS SURGERY 2 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, AND A STROKE 1 YEAR BEFORE. HE DEPARTED ON HIS FIRST SOLO FLT IN 2 YEARS, AND DID NOT RETURN. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 9 DAYS LATER WITHIN VIEW FROM THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE HAD IMPACTED THE SIDE OF A HILL IN A STRAIGHT & LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE. THE PILOT WAS TREATED RECENTLY FOR DEPRESSION, AND WAS TAKING MEDICATION FOR INSOMNIA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7579X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7579X-1992-08-25), registration cancelled 1992-08-25, S/N 17248079 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248079
- Airframe hours: 2252
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Beech, James L.
- Registered owner: Beech, James L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 24, 1991, 6 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 84; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,200 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCM, 21 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 19920522025659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920522025659A), May 22, 1992: Cessna 172B, Eatonville, WA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a hill at cruise speed pilot 84YRS old had suffered stroke and had heart surgery. No medical.

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.