# NTSB SEA94LA189: Cessna 172M, N73175, Seattle, WA, July 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1994, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Seattle, WA
- Coordinates: 47.750175, -122.289039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7502&lon=-122.2890&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor; on the ground: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41983
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41983/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA189

## Probable cause

THE PROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WAS MISJUDGED BY THE PILOT.  DURING THE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT, HE FAILED TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM OBSTACLES.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED SEAPLANE PILOT ELECTED TO ATTEMPT A GO-AROUND FROM HIS APPROACH TO LAND AT THE SEAPLANE BASE, AFTER DETERMINING THAT HE WAS TOO CLOSE TO SHORE TO TOUCH DOWN.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES AND OTHER OBJECTS, INCLUDING AN OCCUPIED AUTOMOBILE, DURING THE GO-AROUND ATTEMPT.

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1994, at 1605 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M floatplane, N73175, sustained substantial damage when it impacted property and terrain during a go-around from a landing in the harbor near the Kenmore Air Harbor facility in Seattle, Washington.  The private pilot and his wife sustained minor injuries, and two persons on the ground also received minor injuries when their automobile and the aircraft collided.  There was no flight plan filed for the flight, which had originated in the harbor about a half hour earlier.

The pilot stated to FAA inspectors that he had come in high, elected to go around, and retracted the flaps.  He noted that his climb rate was between 150 and 200 feet per minute.  The aircraft struck antennas, wires, a satellite dish and two vehicles on the surface.  The accident occurred on Highway 522, and closed down traffic for about three hours during rush hour traffic.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73175](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73175-2013-02-21), registration cancelled 2013-02-21, S/N 17267302, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267302
- Airframe hours: 5360
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenmore Air Harbor
- Registered owner: Kenmore Air Harbor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 1994, 37 hours before
- Airport: S6O, Kenmore

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 96 total, 43 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 55 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19940722019199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940722019199A), Jul 22, 1994: Cessna 172M, Kenmore, WA, Substantial damage. Floatplane struck vehicle onshore during aborted water landing. Hit wires satellite dish two vehicles on highway.

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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