# NTSB SEA94LA133: Cessna 172M, N30608, Lookout Pass, ID, May 29, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1994, 19:15 local (May 29, 1994, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Lookout Pass, ID
- Coordinates: 47.459236, -115.739082 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4592&lon=-115.7391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA133

## Probable cause

POOR IN-FLIGHT PLANNING.  FACTORS INCLUDE CLOUDY WEATHER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED LEAVING ON A RETURN TRIP TO HIS HOME BASE IN ST. MARIES, IDAHO.  HE TRIED TO FOLLOW A HIGHWAY THROUGH A VALLEY TO AVOID ADVERSE WEATHER AND MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHEN HE TURNED A CORNER, HE SAW THE CEILING HAD LOWERED TO A POINT WHERE HE COULD NO LONGER CONTINUE, AND TRIED TO EXECUTE A 180 DEGREE TURN BACK TO THE EAST.  IN DOING SO, HE ENTERED THE CLOUD AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Factual narrative

On May 28, 1994, approximately 1915 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N30608, sustained substantial damage when it collided with terrain while maneuvering through Lookout Pass, near Mullan Pass, Idaho.  The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, received serious injuries in the accident.  The personal flight had departed Missoula, Montana, in visual meteorological conditions, en route to St. Maries, Idaho.  No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT did not activate.

The pilot stated that he was maneuvering to reverse course after encountering a progressive decline in the ceiling.  He said he came around a narrow valley which was blocked by weather, and he attempted a 180 degree turn back to the east to avoid a bank of clouds ahead of him, but was unable to avoid the cloud.  He stated that the aircraft was completely within the cloud during the turn and it collided with the heavily forested terrain.  VFR flight had not been recommended, according to FAA FSS documentation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30608](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30608-1994-08-18), registration cancelled 1994-08-18, S/N 17264148 (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: 17264148
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: St. Maries Cap Aero Club
- Registered owner: St. Maries Cap Aero Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MSO, MISSOULA, MT
- Destination: S72, ST. MARIES, ID

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 121 total, 72 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19940528013089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940528013089A), May 28, 1994: Cessna 172M, Look Out Pass, ID, Substantial damage. Flew into clouds trying to turn around low altitude in a Pass. Struck trees. Was advised VFR not recommended.

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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