# NTSB SEA98LA070: Cessna 172N, N6468D, Enumclaw, WA, May 5, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 1998, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Enumclaw, WA - Coordinates: 47.100116, -121.600074 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1001&lon=-121.6001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42781 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42781/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's continued VFR flight into IMC conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Clouds and mountainous terrain were a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly ## Analysis The pilot reported that while en route through a mountain pass, the ceiling was higher than what was reported. The pilot continued the flight through the pass, however, the ceiling began to lower and he opted to reverse direction. The pilot made a 180 degree turn to the left, and at the completion of the turn, noted that the clouds had closed in behind him. The pilot stated that he started another 180 degree turn to the right, and during this turn, entered the clouds. The pilot stated that he was about 150 degrees into the second turn when he popped out of the clouds and was within seconds of impacting a steep mountain side. The pilot stated that there was not sufficient room to avoid a collision, and leveled the wings, pulled the throttle off to stall the airplane as if landing, and aim the nose of the airplane between two trees for the collision. The pilot stated that both wings were bent aft from the impact with the trees, however, the collision with the ground was minor. At the time of the accident, the weather reporting facility reported a 300 foot overcast ceiling. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 1998, at about 1300 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N6468D, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain while maneuvering in mountainous terrain about ten miles northeast of Enumclaw, Washington. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The flight had departed from Cle Elum, Washington, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had taken off from Spokane, Washington, earlier in the day. The pilot stated that while en route to Fall City, Washington, the Cascade mountain passes were obscured by weather and he opted to land at Cle Elum. While on the ground, the pilot checked the weather, and at about 1230, the pilot stated that he decided to depart Cle Elum and fly to Ellensburg, Washington, for lunch and to refuel, but to fly over toward Stampede Pass first to check the weather. The pilot stated that as he entered Stampede Pass, the ceiling was about 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) over the pass, and higher than what the weather briefer had reported to the pilot prior to take off. The pilot could see that the ceilings were about 2,000 feet to 2,500 feet AGL on the southwest side of the pass. As the flight continued into the pass, the ceiling lowered and the pilot opted to turn around. The pilot stated that he had been flying close to the side of the valley, and made a 180 degree turn to the left. When the turn was completed, the pilot noted that the clouds had closed in behind him. The pilot stated that he started another 180 degree turn to the right, and during this turn, entered the clouds. The pilot stated that he was about 150 degrees into the second turn when he popped out of the clouds and was within seconds of impacting a steep mountain side. The pilot stated that there was not sufficient room to avoid a collision, and leveled the wings, pulled the throttle off to stall the airplane, as if landing, and aim the nose of the airplane between two trees for the collision. The pilot stated that both wings were bent aft from the impact with the trees, however, the collision with the ground was minor. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. At the time of the accident, the Stampede Pass weather reporting facility was reporting a 300 foot overcast ceiling. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6468D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6468D), registered now, S/N 17272819, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272819 - Airframe hours: 5363 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Steven W. Klug - Registered owner: Birds Of A Feather LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 15, 1997, 39 hours before - Departed: S93, CLE ELUM, WA - Destination: FALL CITY, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 121 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SMP, 15 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 19980505024429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980505024429A), May 5, 1998: Cessna 172N, Enumclaw, WA, Substantial damage. Scud running inot lowering ceiling entered cloud. Dove out too low. Impacted mountainside. (.4)the pilot reported that while en route through a mountain pass,… 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.