# NTSB SEA93FA125: Cessna 172P, N53408, Enumclaw, WA, May 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1993, 18:30 local (May 29, 1993, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Enumclaw, WA
- Coordinates: 47.100509, -121.599479 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1005&lon=-121.5995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93FA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93FA125

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC.  FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: FOG AND RAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING A VFR CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A 2,400 FOOT MOUNTAIN AT THE 2,200 FOOT LEVEL IN IMC. THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY WITH LIGHTNING AND RAINSHOWERS WERE REPORTED IN THE AREA. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT VISIBILITY WAS POOR WITH THICK FOG IN THE AREA THAT OBSCURED THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. DURING THE POST CRASH INVESTIGATION, NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53408](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53408-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 17274746, built 1981 (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
- Serial number: 17274746
- Airframe hours: 7904
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Tech
- Registered owner: Flight Tech
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 3, 1993, 70 hours before
- Departed: BFI, SEATTLE, WA
- Destination: S07, BEND, OR
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 106 total, 30 in this make and model, 59 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEA, 23 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 19930528015549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930528015549A), May 28, 1993: Cessna 172P, Enumclaw, WA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain. Was advised of low clouds. Rain, thunderstorms and icing en route.

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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