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NTSB Report
April 13, 1990 · Cessna 172M · N9021H
Incline Village, NV
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 1990
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Location
Incline Village, NV
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N9021H
Operator
Nevada Cal Aero
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90FA065
WHILE ON A STUDENT DEMO FLT, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE, THEN DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND. ELEVATION AT THE CRASH SITE WAS 8700 FT, DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 10,140 FT, & THE ACFT WAS LOADED NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WT.
NTSB Probable Cause
IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE FROM OBSTRUCTIONS. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE TREES (OBSTRUCTIONS).
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A STUDENT DEMO FLT, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT WAS FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE, THEN DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED & IMPACTED THE GROUND. ELEVATION AT THE CRASH SITE WAS 8700 FT, DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE 10,140 FT, & THE ACFT WAS LOADED NEAR ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN9021H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorNevada Cal Aero
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 4 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 36 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:50
Weather SourceWFAC