# NTSB SEA98LA121: Cessna 172L, N2885Q, Lapwai, ID, July 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1998, 19:50 local (Jul 13, 1998, 02:50 UTC) - Place: Lapwai, ID - Coordinates: 46.319564, -116.780075 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3196&lon=-116.7801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 10, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA98LA121 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43216/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA98LA121 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight planning or preparation from unsuitable terrain. Factors include an embedded railroad tie in the takeoff path, and high vegetation.. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - other (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing ## Analysis The pilot reported to a local law enforcement official that he was initiating a southbound takeoff with 20 degrees flaps from a field of 15 inch high grass near his mother's residence. He reported that immediately after lifting off, a wheel struck something, and immediately thereafter the aircraft impacted a fence post and then terrain before coming to a stop. In a written statement, the pilot noted that the airplane struck the top of a railroad tie in the grass. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1998, approximately 1950 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172L, N2885Q, registered to and being operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during a collision with a fence and terrain immediately after lift-off from a grass strip one mile north of Lapwai, Idaho. The private pilot and his two passengers were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and was destined for Kamiah, Idaho. The pilot reported to a local law enforcement official that he was initiating a southbound takeoff with 20 degrees flaps from a field of 15 inch high grass near his mother's residence. He reported that immediately after lifting off, a wheel struck something, and immediately thereafter the aircraft impacted a fence post and then terrain before coming to a stop (refer to attached Nez Perce County Sheriff Report). In a written statement, the pilot noted that the airplane "hit (a) clump of grass or something in the grass" and that the "plane veered to (the) right upon liftoff (and) hit the top of a railroad tie in the grass." On-site examination by FAA inspectors from their Spokane office revealed that the right wheel and strut had separated from the aircraft and the right horizontal stabilizer was bent upward several inches. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2885Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2885Q), registered now, S/N 17259885, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259885 - Airframe hours: 3318 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Huddleston, Marvin, A. - Registered owner: Hedrick, Miles, And Huddleston - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, April 28, 1998, 105 hours before - Destination: KAMIAH, ID - Airport: runway 18, 1,500 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 170 total, 163 in this make and model, 134 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LWS, 8 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 19980712016599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980712016599A), Jul 12, 1998: Cessna 172L, Lapwai, ID, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported to a local law enforcement official that he was initiating a southbound takeoff with 20 degrees flaps from a field of 15 inch high grass… 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.