# NTSB SEA99LA160: Cessna 172M, N8995V, Tahola, WA, September 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 11, 1999, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Tahola, WA - Coordinates: 47.310009, -124.219375 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3100&lon=-124.2194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 2, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47559/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA160 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from trees along the side of the landing area. Factors include a landing area surrounded by tall trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - directional control - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis While attempting to land on a recently cleared roadway, the aircraft bounced back into the air. When it touched back down, it veered to the right, and the pilot's directional control inputs were not adequate to keep the right wing from coming in contact with trees that were growing along the side of the landing area. ## Factual narrative On September 11, 1999, approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8995V, impacted trees during an off-airport landing near Tahola, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR 91 business flight, which departed Hoquiam, Washington, about two and one-half hours earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, he was landing on a newly cleared roadway in order to look at a nearby construction project. Just after touchdown, the aircraft bounced back into the air. When it touched back down, it veered to the right and one of its wings contacted tree limbs along the side of the landing area. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft or its directional control systems. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot recommended "Not landing in such a narrow landing area." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8995V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8995V-2012-11-28), registration cancelled 2012-11-28, S/N 17264350, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264350 - Airframe hours: 1376 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Scott W. Rognlin - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1999 - Departed: HQM, HOQUIAM, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,135 total, 1,125 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19990911047689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990911047689A), Sep 11, 1999: Cessna 172M, Tahola, WA, Substantial damage. (.4) While attempting to land on a recently cleared roadway, the aircraft bounced back into the air. When it touched back down, it veered to the right, and the… ## Other investigations on N8995V (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 DEN79DTE49](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DTE49), Jun 19, 1979: Cessna 150 (N8995V), Greeley, CO, no 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.