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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 13, 1994 · Cessna 172P · N65857

Easton, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 13, 1994
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Easton, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N65857
Operator
Jvc Aviation
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA94LA178

THE PRIVATE PILOT (PIC) WAS ON A CHECK-OUT FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN THAT WAS REQUIRED BY THE FLYING CLUB. THE CHECK PILOT WAS ALSO AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI). SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PRIVATE PILOT TOLD THE CFI THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CLIMBING. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE, AND NOTED THAT EVEN THOUGH THE AIRSPEED AND PITCH WERE NORMAL, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND. WHEN COLLISION WITH TREES WAS INEVITABLE, THE CFI SLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO REDUCE IMPACT FORCES. THE AIRSTRIP WAS SURROUNDED BY TREES AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE AREA WAS SUBJECT TO UP AND DOWNDRAFTS. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE A MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, AND INADEQUATE SUPERVISION BY THE CHECK PILOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THEIR FAILURE TO REMAIN CLEAR OF TREES DURING TAKEOFF. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: A DOWNDRAFT AND THE PROXIMITY OF TREES TO THE AIRPORT.

Full Narrative

On July 13, 1994, at 1630 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N65857, collided with trees during the takeoff climb from the Easton State Airport, Easton, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the flight instructor and private pilot were seriously injured. The flight was departing from Easton and was en route to Renton, Washington. The private pilot reported that the flying club required that he be checked out by a flight instructor for flight over mountainous terrain. Both pilots reported that a full stop landing was made at Easton after practicing an emergency procedure. The airplane was taxied for take off on runway 9 and the private pilot set up for a soft field takeoff with 10 degrees of flaps extended. Both pilots noted that the wind sock was limp. Shortly after takeoff, approximately 300 feet above ground level, the private pilot stated that the airplane was not climbing. The flight instructor took over and stated that he tried to continue the climb-out with a normal pitch and airspeed, however, the airplane was descending. The flight instructor stated that he thought that he extended full flaps, pulled the mixture control and slowed the airplane when it was inevitable that the airplane was going to collide with the 70 foot trees at the northwest side of the runway. Neither pilot recalled that there were any problems with the engine during the take off. The Easton State Airport, is a 2,640 foot turf airstrip that is surrounded by trees and mountainous terrain. The area is subject to up and down drafts. After the airplane was retrieved, an inspection was performed. It was found that the flaps were fully extended. The propeller remained attached to the crankshaft. One blade was bent aft while the other blade remained straight. The crankshaft rotated easily with compression developed in all cylinders. Rocker arm, accessory gear and valve train continuity were established. All spark plugs displayed normal operating signatures. The fuel had been drained from the airplane at the time of the retrieval.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest AirportEaston State (1nm E)
Runway9
Runway Length2640 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN65857
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJvc Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data