# NTSB SEA93LA012: Cessna 172P, N62731, Lind, WA, October 29, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1992, 16:55 local (Oct 29, 1992, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Lind, WA
- Coordinates: 46.899806, -118.680496 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8998&lon=-118.6805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA012

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE LANDING ROLL AFTER THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, DUE TO DETERIORATING WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR A VFR FLIGHT AND THEN DEPARTED FOR HIS DESTINATION. APPROXIMATELY MID FLIGHT HE ENCOUNTERED FOG, LOW CEILINGS, CLOUDS, AND GENERALLY DETERIORATING WEATHER CONDITIONS AND ATTEMPTED TO DIVERT TO AN ALTERNATE AIRPORT. AS THE WEATHER CONTINUED TO DETERIORATE, AND DUSK LIGHT CONDITIONS BEGAN TO PERSIST, THE PILOT CHOSE TO EXECUTE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE AIRCRAFT'S NOSE AND RIGHT WHEELS ENCOUNTERED RUTS AND THE AIRCRAFT MOMENTARILY IMPACTED ITS NOSE AND RIGHT WINGTIP BEFORE COMING TO REST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62731](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62731-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 17275330, 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: 172-75330
- Airframe hours: 3787
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Felts Field Aviation
- Registered owner: Felts Field Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 2000, 47 hours before
- Departed: S22, HERMISTON, OR
- Destination: SFF, SPOKANE, WA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 75 total, 14 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MWH, 33 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 19921028044369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921028044369A), Oct 28, 1992: Cessna 172P, Lind, WA, Substantial damage. Encountered fog and low ceiling near dusk. Tried divert neaby airport. Unable. Landed rough field. Cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N62731 (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 WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247), Aug 20, 2015: Cessna 172P (N62731), Townsend, MT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with…

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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