# NTSB WPR20CA125: Cessna 172, N75765, Yakima, WA, April 20, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 19, 2020, 17:30 local (Apr 20, 2020, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Yakima, WA - Coordinates: 46.773056, -120.440551 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.7731&lon=-120.4406&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 101176 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101176/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101176 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA125 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude during a go-around, which resulted in impact with hilly terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072434), [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 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he chose to conduct a low approach over the private airstrip to familiarize himself with it and then go around. He approached the airstrip from the north and entered the left base leg. After turning onto final, the airplane was on a stabilized approach. About 20 ft above ground level, he applied full power, pitched the nose up, and retracted the flaps. The airplane would not gain altitude and was quickly approaching the uphill elevation of the airstrip. The airplane narrowly cleared the hill at the end of the airstrip but continued to lose altitude. The airplane impacted terrain, went over an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he elected to conduct a low approach over the private airstrip to familiarize himself with the area. He approached the airstrip from the north and entered a left base. After turning final, the airplane was on a stabilized approach. About 20 ft above the airstrip he applied full power, pitched the nose up, and retracted the flaps. The airplane would not gain altitude and the uphill elevation of the airstrip was quickly rising. The airplane narrowly cleared the hill at the end of the airstrip, but continued to lose altitude. The airplane touched down, went over an embankment and nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The airplane's fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75765](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75765-2020-12-08), registration cancelled 2020-12-08, S/N 17267934, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 (N) - 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: 17267934 - Year built: 1976 - Airframe hours: 9625 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 SERIES 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 2020, 20 hours before - Departed: S10, Chelan, WA - Destination: YKM, Yakima, WA - Flight plan: Unknown - Equipment: Unknown ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: YKM, 13 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 20200419001179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200419001179A), Apr 19, 2020: Cessna 172N, Yakima, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft impacted the top of the ridge on approach to the runway, breaking the nose gear off and flipping the aircraft onto its back. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 21, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101176. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 911 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486267&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - On Scene Photos - Courtesy of Local Law Enforcement (item 2, .PDF, 439 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40486268&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos%20-%20Courtesy%20of%20Local%20Law%20Enforcement-Master.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.