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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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June 16, 1996 · Cessna 177B · N1159C

Gardiner, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 16, 1996
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Location
Gardiner, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 177B
Tail Number
N1159C
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA124

While on final approach to land on runway 28, the pilot encountered a downdraft, and the aircraft's right wing struck a fir tree approximately 400 feet short of the threshold. The aircraft then descended to the ground, where it impacted and came to rest against a mobile home.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain the proper altitude/clearance from obstruction(s), while on final approach. Factors relating to the accident were: the downdraft, and the obstruction (tree).

Full Narrative

On June 16, 1996, approximately 1610 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177B, N1159C, registered to and being flown by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft collided with a tree after undershooting the final approach to runway 28 at the Diamond Point airstrip, Gardiner, Washington. The pilot and two of the three passengers sustained minor injuries. A third passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Eastsound, Washington, approximately 1530. The pilot reported that on final approach to runway 28 he encountered a downdraft and collided with a fir tree more than 400 feet short of the threshold. The aircraft then descended impacting and coming to rest against a mobile home a little over 300 feet short of the threshold and on the runway extended centerline. The 1555 local surface winds reported at Port Angeles, located 23 nautical west southwest of the accident site, were 250 degrees magnetic at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 PDT
Nearest AirportDiamond Point Airstrip (0nm)
Runway28
Runway Length2335 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 177B
Tail NumberN1159C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1F6D · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (1 serious injury, 3 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor3
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 78 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility35 sm
CeilingOvercast 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data