# NTSB SEA93LA170: Cessna 172M, N9554H, Yellow Pine, ID, August 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1993, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Yellow Pine, ID
- Coordinates: 45.020793, -115.520942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0208&lon=-115.5209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41743
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA93LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41743/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA170

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPERLY PLANNED APPROACH AND DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS: THE PROXIMITY OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DUE TO TERRAIN CONSTRAINTS, THE PATTERN WAS FLOWN CLOSE TO THE AIRSTRIP.  SHE MADE A TIGHT BASE TURN TO FINAL APPROACH AND HAD TO MAKE CORRECTIONS TO ALIGN WITH THE CENTERLINE.  DURING THE TURNS, THE AIRPLANE LOST ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED.  BEFORE THE PILOT COMPENSATED FOR THE LOST ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED, THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE AIRSTRIP AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE.

## Factual narrative

On August 2, 1993, at 0800 hours mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N9554H, landed short of the airstrip near Yellow Pine, Idaho, and collided with the terrain.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The airplane was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot and her passenger received minor injuries.  The flight had departed from McCall, Idaho, on August 2, 1993, at 0730 hours and was en route to Yellow Pine.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot stated that due to terrain constraints, the pattern was flown close to the runway.  From downwind, the pilot made an immediate base to final approach turn to the airstrip, having to make corrections to align with the centerline.  The airplane lost altitude and airspeed during the turns and the airplane landed short and collided with a fence before the pilot was able to regain enough altitude and airspeed to land on the airstrip.

The airstrip lies between mountain ranges to the east and west, with trees on all sides.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9554H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9554H-1993-10-01), registration cancelled 1993-10-01, S/N 17266225 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266225
- Airframe hours: 4644
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hodges,  James A.
- Registered owner: Hodges, James A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1993, 11 hours before
- Departed: MYL, MCCALL, ID
- Destination: 3U2
- Airport: 3U2, Johnson Creek, runway 17, 3,400 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 871 total, 580 in this make and model, 619 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19930802027439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930802027439A), Aug 2, 1993: Cessna 172M, Yellow Pine, ID, Substantial damage. Stall mushed to ground impact during close in pattern due to hills in area. Struck a fence short of runway.

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.