# NTSB SEA98LA026: Cessna 172P, N9566L, Kenmore, WA, December 24, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 24, 1997, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Kenmore, WA - Coordinates: 47.749187, -122.240051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7492&lon=-122.2401&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42747 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA026 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42747/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA026 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequately planned approach and failure to maintain directional control. The pilot's lack of total experience in kind of aircraft and haze were factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor) - planned approach - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that prior to executing an approach for landing she looked at the water surface and saw mild ripples and determined that it was not glassy water. She set up a flatter approach than normal. As the airplane neared the water surface, the haze grew thicker. The pilot stated that she wondered if she should have set up for a glassy water landing, when the airplane hit the water surface. The aircraft careened to the right, then cartwheeled to the left. The left wing contacted the water surface, and the airplane came to rest right-side up. The pilot had just taken the single-engine sea checkride about two weeks prior to the accident, and this was her first solo flight. ## Factual narrative On December 24, 1997, at 1530 Pacific standard time, a float equipped Cessna 172P, N9566L, operated by Kenmore Air Harbor as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the water during landing on calm water near Kenmore, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant received minor injuries. The flight had departed from Kenmore, about one hour and 15 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that this was her first solo flight after taking the single-engine sea check-ride on December 5, 1997. The pilot reported that she was practicing normal take-off and landings around the lake. While returning to Kenmore Air Harbor, the wind was light and visibility was hazy. The pilot stated that at Holmes Point, and about 500 feet above water level, she looked down at the water surface and saw "mild ripples." The pilot stated that she determined that it was not glassy water conditions, and proceeded with an approach for landing. The pilot stated that she chose a flatter approach than normal, and as she neared the water surface, the haze grew thicker. The pilot stated that she wondered if she should have executed a "glassy water" approach, when the aircraft hit the water surface. The aircraft "careened" to the right, then cartwheeled to the left. The left wing contacted the water surface, and the airplane came to rest right-side up. The pilot reported a total flight time of 380 hours in all aircraft, with 17 hours in single-engine sea aircraft. Approximately one hour had been logged as pilot-in-command of a seaplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9566L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9566L), registered now, S/N 17276578, built 1986 (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: 17276578 - Airframe hours: 7029 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kenmore Air Harbor - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 24, 1997, 81 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 380 total, 17 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19971224039759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971224039759A), Dec 24, 1997: Cessna 172P, Kenmore, WA, Substantial damage. Acft brushed water with the left wing when landing, other circum are unknown, Kenmore, WA. (.4) the pilot reported that prior to executing an approach for… ## Other investigations on N9566L (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 SEA03LA103](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA103), Jun 15, 2003: Cessna 172P (N9566L), Seattle, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The dual student's failure to maintain aircraft control and the flight instructor's delayed remedial action. Contributing factors were the crosswind condition and the flight instructor's lack of… 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.