# NTSB WPR10CA089: Cessna 172M, N1883V, Albion, ID, December 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 23, 2009, 18:43 local (Dec 24, 2009, 01:43 UTC) - Place: Albion, ID - Coordinates: 42.411945, -113.468055 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4119&lon=-113.4681&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 75190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75190/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75190 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering in gusting winds. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 26 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 17 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial observation flight during night visual meteorological conditions. The pilot stated that, as the airplane approached the ridge tops of a mountain range from east to the west at an altitude of about 800 to 1,000 feet above ground level, the airplane rolled uncommanded into a 90-degree left bank. The pilot stated he corrected the roll and regained his original heading. Shortly thereafter, the airplane encountered “another gust” and rolled to the right. The pilot reported that as he was rolling back to level flight he realized that the top of the hill was higher than his altitude and remained in a right turn. He stated that during the turn, the ground became illuminated by the landing light and then the airplane impacted snow covered mountainous terrain and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that both wings and left horizontal stabilizer were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The pilot further reported that at the time of the accident he estimated the wind to be from the west at 20 to 30 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was conducting an aerial observation flight during night visual meteorological conditions. The pilot stated that as the airplane approached the ridge tops of a mountain range from east to the west at an altitude of about 800 to 1,000 feet above ground level (agl), the airplane rolled uncommanded into a 90-degree left bank. The pilot stated he corrected the roll and regained his original heading. Shortly thereafter, the airplane encountered “another gust” and rolled to the right. The pilot reported that as he was rolling back to level flight he realized that the top of the hill was higher than his altitude and remained in a right turn. He stated that during the turn, the ground became illuminated by the landing light and then the airplane impacted snow covered mountainous terrain and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that both wings and left horizontal stabilizer were structurally damaged. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation prior to the accident. The pilot further reported that at the time of the accident, he estimated the wind to be from the west at 20 to 30 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1883V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1883V-2010-03-02), registration cancelled 2010-03-02, S/N 17263780, built 1975 (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: 17263780 - Airframe hours: 7796 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thaddeus Fickel - Registered owner: Kennewick Aircraft Services Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2009, 48 hours before - Departed: Jerome, ID - Destination: Jerome, ID ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 4,800 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 4,750 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: 270° at 30 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.31 inHg ## 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 20091223053279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20091223053279A), Dec 23, 2009: Cessna 172M, Albion, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot report that he was performing aerial infrard imagery in an area that was about 4 miles east of Albion, ID during the evening of 12/23/2009. At an… ## Other investigations on N1883V (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 SEA04LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA04LA049), Mar 14, 2004: Cessna 172M (N1883V), Eltopia, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: Remedial action delayed during the takeoff roll. Factors include rough/uneven terrain. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75190. 329 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 329 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40323670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.