# NTSB SEA99LA025: Cessna 177, N2355Y, Bellingham, WA, December 26, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 25, 1998, 18:45 local (Dec 26, 1998, 02:45 UTC) - Place: Bellingham, WA - Location: 48.8071° N, 122.5391° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from BELLINGHAM INTL (BLI), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.8071&lon=-122.5391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 11, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45564 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA025 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45564/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA025 ## Probable cause Inadequate preflight planning/preparation, and the pilot's failure to maintain altitude. VFR flight into IMC conditions and cloudy weather conditions were factors. ## Analysis The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff, during the ascent, he encountered instrument meteorological conditions at 500 feet AGL, and initiated a turn back to the airport. During the turn, the aircraft lost a considerable amount of altitude and collided with multiple tree tops. The pilot was able to continue to the airport and land without further incident. The pilot stated he did not receive a formal weather briefing from a flight service station and relied solely on the automated surface observation system report at the airport. ## Factual narrative On December 25, 1998, about 1845 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 177 Cardinal, N2355Y, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight, was substantially damaged after colliding with tree tops shortly after departure from the Bellingham Airport (BLI), Bellingham Washington. Night visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and his passenger were uninjured. There was no fire, and no report of an ELT actuating. The flight originated from the Bellingham Airport approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot stated that shortly after take off, during the ascent, he encountered instrument meteorological conditions at approximately 500 feet above ground level and initiated a turn back to the airport. The pilot stated that "During the turn, I apparently overreacted and increased the bank angle to the extent that it began losing altitude. My instrument scan was poor and I realize now that I was spending too much time looking outside for ground reference." The pilot leveled the wings. However, the airplane continued to descend and collided with tree tops. The pilot was able to continue to the airport and land without further incident. The pilot also stated he did not receive a formal weather briefing from a flight service station and relied solely on the automated weather observing system report at the Bellingham airport. At 1856, the Bellingham automated weather observing system was reporting wind from 350 degrees at eight knots. Visibility was four miles with light rain. The sky condition was reported as a few clouds at 800 feet and overcast at 1,400 feet. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, climb - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - object - tree(s) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2355Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2355Y), registered now, S/N 17700155, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17700155 - Airframe hours: 1798 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Joseph S. Heagney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 6, 1998, 35 hours before - Departed: BLI, BELLINGHAM, WA - Destination: ORS, EASTSOUND, WA - Airport: BLI, Bellingham International, runway 34, 6,751 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,053 total, 934 in this make and model, 1,007 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 329° at 8 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BLI, 1 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 19981225044239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981225044239A), Dec 25, 1998: Cessna 177, Bellingham, WA, Substantial damage. (.19)On December 25, 1998, about 1903 pacific standard time a Cessna 177 cardinal, N2355Y, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR part 91 pleasure… ## Other investigations on N2355Y (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 LAX68F0316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX68F0316), Feb 4, 1968: Cessna 177 (N2355Y), Imperial Bch, CA, substantial damage 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.