# NTSB SEA93LA167: Cessna 172N, N734DL, Monroe, WA, July 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1993, 21:30 local (Jul 29, 1993, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Monroe, WA
- Coordinates: 47.870861, -121.880401 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.8709&lon=-121.8804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43048
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA167
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43048/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA167

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT DECISION BY THE PIC AND HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN PROPER RUNWAY ALIGNMENT. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS, UNAVAILABILITY OF RUNWAY LIGHTS, AND LACK OF RECENT NIGHT FLIGHT TIME BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT MADE AN APPROACH TO A ROW OF VEGETATION WHICH HE MISTOOK FOR THE RUNWAY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LAND AT THE UNLIGHTED AIRPORT ON A DARK NIGHT. HE VEERED TOWARD THE RUNWAY AT A LOW ALTITUDE, ATTEMPTING TO LINE UP WITH THE RUNWAY, AND THE ACFT IMPACTED THE GROUND.  THE PILOT HAD NO RECENT NIGHT FLT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734DL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N734DL-1994-03-30), registration cancelled 1994-03-30, S/N 17268773 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268773
- Airframe hours: 3110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Duane O. Kaasa
- Registered owner: Duane & Patricia Kaasa
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1993, 31 hours before
- Departed: PAE, EVERETT, WA
- Airport: WA38, Firstair Field, runway 7, 2,092 × 34 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 418 total, 400 in this make and model, 380 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 130° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAE, 12 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 19930728026019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930728026019A), Jul 28, 1993: Cessna 172N, Monroe, WA, Substantial damage. Tried to land on unlighted airport flared off side of runway. Swerved toward runway too low and impacted ground.

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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