# NTSB SEA96LA047: Cessna 172M, N6750H, Mcleary, WA, February 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 4, 1996, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Mcleary, WA - Coordinates: 47.029396, -123.269172 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0294&lon=-123.2692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42326/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA047 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain sufficient altitude/clearance from mountainous/wooded terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the terrain and downdraft conditions. ## Analysis The aircraft was on a personal/sightseeing flight, and the pilot reported crossing Capitol Peak (2,660 feet) approximately 400 to 500 feet above the terrain. According to the pilot, the aircraft encountered a downdraft during which the right wing impacted a tree. The aircraft continued flying, and the pilot proceeded to Olympia, Washington, and landed. ## Factual narrative On February 4, 1996, approximately 1000 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172M, N6750H, being flown by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it collided with a tree top while in cruise on the lee side of Capitol Peak, approximately 6 nautical miles west of the Olympia airport, Olympia, Washington. The pilot reported visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot and three passengers were uninjured. The flight, which was a personal sightseeing trip, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Tacoma, Washington, approximately 0900. In a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he crossed Capitol Peak (elevation approximately 2,660 feet above sea level) approximately 400-500 feet above the terrain, headed eastbound, at approximately 65 percent power and immediately thereafter encountered a downdraft. The aircraft descended to tree top level and impacted a tree. Subsequent to the collision the pilot determined that the aircraft had sustained leading edge damage to its right wing from a point just forward of the strut attach point outboard for approximately 2 feet. He then diverted into Olympia landing approximately 1015. The pilot reported westerly winds of 15 knots gusting to 20 knots at the time of the accident. The forecast winds at Seattle at 3,000 feet above sea level were for the morning of the accident were from 300 degrees true at 17 knots. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, cruise - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6750H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6750H), registered now, S/N 17265566, built 1975 (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: 17265566 - Airframe hours: 7828 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Wasem, Robert, W. - Registered owner: Pavco, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Departed: TIW, TACOMA, WA ## 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: 320 total, 80 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OLM, 6 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 19960204047359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960204047359A), Feb 4, 1996: Cessna 172M, Olympia, WA, Substantial damage. (-16) The pilot was conducting a sightseeing flight with his three passengers. Level at 3,000 feet MSL, on a heading of east, he passed 400 feet AGL over a… ## Other investigations on N6750H (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 WPR25LA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA061), Dec 13, 2024: Cessna 172M (N6750H), Gig Harbor, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a touch-and-go. 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.