# NTSB SEA96LA124: Cessna 177B, N1159C, Gardiner, WA, June 16, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 16, 1996, 16:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Gardiner, WA
- Location: 48.0498° N, 122.9157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gardiner, WA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.0498&lon=-122.9157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42395
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42395/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA124

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain the proper altitude/clearance from obstruction(s), while on final approach.  Factors relating to the accident were: the downdraft, and the obstruction (tree).

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - residence

## Analysis

While on final approach to land on runway 28, the pilot encountered a downdraft, and the aircraft's right wing struck a fir tree approximately 400 feet short of the threshold. The aircraft then descended to the ground, where it impacted and came to rest against a mobile home.

## Factual narrative

On June 16, 1996, approximately 1610 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N1159C, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft collided with a tree after undershooting the final approach to runway 28 at the Diamond Point airstrip, Gardiner, Washington. The pilot and two of the three passengers sustained minor injuries. A third passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Eastsound, Washington, approximately 1530.

The pilot reported that on final approach to runway 28 he encountered a downdraft and collided with a fir tree more than 400 feet short of the threshold. The aircraft then descended impacting and coming to rest against a mobile home a little over 300 feet short of the threshold and on the runway extended centerline.

The 1555 local surface winds reported at Port Angeles, located 23 nautical west southwest of the accident site, were 250 degrees magnetic at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1159C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1159C-1997-03-27), registration cancelled 1997-03-27, S/N 17702677 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702677
- Airframe hours: 1313
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: L. Neil Rutherford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 16, 1995, 44 hours before
- Departed: ORS, EASTSOUND, WA
- Destination: 2WA1
- Airport: 2WA1, Diamond Point Airstrip, runway 28, 2,335 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 895 total, 97 in this make and model, 845 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CLM, 23 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 19960616013929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960616013929A), Jun 16, 1996: Cessna 177B, Sequim, WA, Substantial damage. Struck a tree on final for runway. Reported downdraft. Impacted 400FT short. Stopped against mobile home.

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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