# NTSB WPR21LA061: Cessna 172, N1444V, Arch Cape, OR, November 9, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 8, 2020, 16:11 local (Nov 9, 2020, 00:11 UTC) - Place: Arch Cape, OR - Coordinates: 45.767319, -123.98501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7673&lon=-123.9850&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 102331 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102331/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102331 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA061 ## Probable cause The pilot’s descent into the ocean for reasons that could not be determined. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis A witness, located on the shoreline, about three quarters of a mile from the accident site, reported that she observed the accident airplane arrive from the south and started to slowly reduce its altitude as it neared her position. The airplane appeared to be in controlled flight in its descent and the engine RPM was consistent with a cruising flight sound. The airplane continued to descend until it struck the water just before Falcon Rock, a large, exposed rock located offshore. A large wave crashed over the airplane, and it disappeared under the water. The wreckage was not located. The pilot is presumed fatally injured and the airplane destroyed. A friend of the pilot reported that the pilot was diagnosed with a terminal illness and added that the pilot did not want to be in a hospital or a care facility and preferred to die in his house or his airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1444V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1444V-2021-10-02), registration cancelled 2021-10-02, S/N R1722192, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (K) - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1722192 - Year built: 1977 - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hans R. Hoppe - Registered owner: Hans R. Hoppe - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: TMK, Tillamook, OR - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 725 total, 725 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KTMK, 26 nm away ## Other investigations on N1444V (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 IAD03LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA036), Mar 15, 2003: Cessna R172K (N1444V), Richmond, VA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The passenger's failure to remain clear of the propeller. Factors included the passenger's recent use of marijuana, the pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, and the night lighting conditions. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102331. 756 KB in all. - Witness statements (item 1, PDF, 4 pages, 420 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12312958&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WItness%20interview%20and%20statement-Rel.pdf - Nok interview (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12543838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Momo%20for%20record%20Interview%20with%20NOK%20Ronald%20C%20Gifford-Rel.pdf - Excerpts from sheriff's report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 282 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12315236&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20Record%20Excerpts%20from%20Sheriffs%20records-Rel.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.