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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

November 8, 1989 · Cessna 172M · N73422

Snoqualmie, WA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 8, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Snoqualmie, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N73422
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA90FA133

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON AN IFR FLIGHT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB TO THE ASSIGNED ALTITUDE DUE TO THE ACCUMULATION OF ICE. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO RETURN TO THE ORIGINATING ARPT. EN ROUTE, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW THE MDA IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITH THE AID OF ANOTHER AIRPLANE TO RELAY MESSAGES, THE PLT WAS GIVEN VECTORS IN THE DIRECTION TO LOWER TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN IMC WHEN COMMUNICATION WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND 8 MONTHS LATER. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

NTSB Probable Cause

INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND POOR WEATHER EVALUATION BY THE PILOT.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF ON AN IFR FLIGHT, THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB TO THE ASSIGNED ALTITUDE DUE TO THE ACCUMULATION OF ICE. THE PLT WAS CLEARED TO RETURN TO THE ORIGINATING ARPT. EN ROUTE, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED BELOW THE MDA IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND RADIO AND RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. WITH THE AID OF ANOTHER AIRPLANE TO RELAY MESSAGES, THE PLT WAS GIVEN VECTORS IN THE DIRECTION TO LOWER TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS IN IMC WHEN COMMUNICATION WAS LOST. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND 8 MONTHS LATER. DURING THE INVESTIGATION THERE WERE NO NOTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN73422
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind200° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data