# NTSB SEA94LA178: Cessna 172P, N65857, Easton, WA, July 13, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 1994, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Easton, WA - Coordinates: 47.349056, -121.270858 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3491&lon=-121.2709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report June 1, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41974 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41974/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA178 ## Probable cause IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF TREES DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A DOWNDRAFT AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES TO THE AIRPORT. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, flightcrew (cause) ## Analysis THE PRIVATE PILOT (PIC) WAS ON A CHECK-OUT FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT WAS REQUIRED BY THE FLYING CLUB. THE CHECK PILOT WAS ALSO AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI). SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PRIVATE PILOT TOLD THE CFI THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CLIMBING. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND NOTED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE AIRSPEED AND PITCH WERE NORMAL, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND. WHEN COLLISION WITH TREES WAS INEVITABLE, THE CFI SLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO REDUCE IMPACT FORCES. THE AIRSTRIP WAS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE AREA WAS SUBJECT TO UP AND DOWNDRAFTS. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 1994, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65857, collided with trees during the takeoff climb from the Easton State Airport, Easton, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and private pilot were seriously injured. The flight was departing from Easton and was en route to Renton, Washington. The private pilot reported that the flying club required that he be checked out by a flight instructor for flight over mountainous terrain. Both pilots reported that a full stop landing was made at Easton after practicing an emergency procedure. The airplane was taxied for take off on runway 9 and the private pilot set up for a soft field takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps extended. Both pilots noted that the wind sock was limp. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 300 feet above ground level, the private pilot stated that the airplane was not climbing. The flight instructor took over and stated that he tried to continue the climb-out with a normal pitch and airspeed, however, the airplane was descending. The flight instructor stated that he thought that he extended full flaps, pulled the mixture control and slowed the airplane when it was inevitable that the airplane was going to collide with the 70 foot trees at the northwest side of the runway. Neither pilot recalled that there were any problems with the engine during the take off. The Easton State Airport, is a 2,640 foot turf airstrip that is surrounded by trees and mountainous terrain. The area is subject to up and down drafts. After the airplane was retrieved, an inspection was performed. It was found that the flaps were fully extended. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One blade was bent aft while the other blade remained straight. The crankshaft rotated easily with compression developed in all cylinders. Rocker arm, accessory gear and valve train continuity were established. All spark plugs displayed normal operating signatures. The fuel had been drained from the airplane at the time of the retrieval. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65857-2018-01-25), registration cancelled 2018-01-25, S/N 17275907, built 1983 (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: 17275907 - Airframe hours: 5306 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Jvc Aviation - Registered owner: Aeroproducts Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1994, 82 hours before - Destination: RNT, RENTON, WA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: ESW, Easton State, runway 9, 2,640 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 90 total, 50 in this make and model, 34 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °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 19940713018439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940713018439A), Jul 13, 1994: Cessna 172P, Easton, WA, Substantial damage. Unable to atain proper climb on takeoff. CFI took over. Struck trees. Flaps found full down. ## Other investigations on N65857 (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 SEA90LA173](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA173), Sep 2, 1990: Cessna 172P (N65857), Granite Falls, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S USE OF EXCESSIVE FLAPS FOR TAKEOFF RESULTING IN LOSS OF CLIMB PERFORMANCE. 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.