# NTSB SEA92FA161: Cessna 172I, N27JF, Donnelly, ID, July 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1992, 18:30 local (Jul 24, 1992, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Donnelly, ID
- Coordinates: 44.720634, -116.049575 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7206&lon=-116.0496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41589
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41589/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA161

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER TAKEOFF WHILE USING IMPROPER OBSTACLE TAKEOFF PROCEDURES.  FACTORS INCLUDE EXCESSIVE FLAP EXTENSION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lowering of flaps - excessive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF FROM A SOD RUNWAY AT 4860 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL WITH THE MIXTURE CONTROL IN THE RICH POSITION AND THE FLAPS EXTENDED TWENTY DEGREES.  TREES ARE LOCATED AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, BUT THEY CAN BE AVOIDED BY A SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AFTER TAKEOFF, WHICH ALLOWS FLYING OVER A RIVER.  THE AIRCRAFT OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT NORMAL AND OBSTACLE CLEARANCE TAKEOFFS ARE PERFORMED WITH WING FLAPS UP, BUT DOES PROVIDE FOR USE OF TEN DEGREES OF FLAPS FOR TAKEOFFS WITH NO OBSTACLES AHEAD.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT LIFTING OFF IN A STALL CONFIGURATION, CLIMBING NO HIGHER THAN THE TREES BEFORE THE LEFT WING DROPPED AND IT CRASHED IN A FIELD ADJACENT TO THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N27JF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27JF-2003-03-03), registration cancelled 2003-03-03, S/N 17257094, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257094
- Airframe hours: 4627
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Idaho Transportation Serv. Inc, doing business as Rocky Mountain Air
- Registered owner: Michael W. Arensmeyer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1992, 1 hours before
- Departed: U84
- Destination: S67, NAMPA, ID
- Airport: U84, Donnelly, runway 18, 2,500 × 125 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 117 total, 11 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 2 knots
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: MYL, 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 19920724026889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920724026889A), Jul 24, 1992: Cessna 172I, Donnelly, ID, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled on right climbing turn to miss trees on takeoff. Factors were altitulde hot flaps 20 and near gross wt.

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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