# NTSB WPR22LA360: Cessna 150L, N7471G, Lyman, WA, September 25, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 25, 2022, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Lyman, WA - Coordinates: 48.406833, -122.03352 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4068&lon=-122.0335&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 106016 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA360 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106016/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106016 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA360 ## Probable cause The pilot’s delayed decision to exit the valley with rising terrain and failure to maintain clearance from trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/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 150L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 150L, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2071826), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that, while en route he mistakenly turned into the wrong valley with rising terrain. The pilot stated that he waited too long before he made a turn to exit the valley. During the turn, the airplane struck trees, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7471G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7471G), registered now, S/N 15074664, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 150L - Registry model: [Cessna 150L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150l) (registry code 2071826) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-200 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-200-series) (registry code 17020, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15074664 - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 6530 - Engines: Continental O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2022, 5 hours before - Departed: 3W5, Concrete, WA - Destination: WA4, Snohomish, WA - Airport: N/A - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: basicmed; last flight review May 11, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,811 total, 500 in this make and model, 2,811 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KAWO, 16 nm away - METAR: KAWO 252056Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM CLR 24/13 A3013 RMK AO2 SLP206 T02390128 58022 ## 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 20220925016089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220925016089A), Sep 25, 2022: Cessna 150L, Hamilton, WA, Substantial damage. On September 25, 2022, [privacy data omitted] operated [privacy data omitted]as pilot in command. [privacy data omitted] Departed concrete airport (3W5) at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106016. 32.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 25.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14886397&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 6.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14886462&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201_Redacted-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.