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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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April 25, 1987 · Cessna 172N · N1935F

Ritter Butte, OR

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 25, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Ritter Butte, OR
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N1935F
Operator
Bob Tuning
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA87LA085

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLT THE PLT NOTICED THAT HE WAS GRADUALLY LOSING HIS COMMUNICATIONS RADIO AND NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUMENTS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE QUICKLY APPROACHING EMPTY. SINCE HOSTILE TERRAIN WAS AHEAD THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ONTO A ROAD. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE PLT NOTICED A CAR IN HIS LANDING PATH. A TURN WAS MADE DURING THE GO-AROUND AND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT ONTO RISING TERRAIN WHERE THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN AND BROKE OFF WITH THE ACFT NOSING OVER INVERTED. NO ABNORMALITIES OTHER THAN A DEAD BATTERY WAS FOUND. FUEL STAINS WERE EVIDENT ON THE GROUND AND 8+ GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE FUEL TANKS.

Full Narrative

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLT THE PLT NOTICED THAT HE WAS GRADUALLY LOSING HIS COMMUNICATIONS RADIO AND NAVIGATIONAL INSTRUMENTS. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS THE PLT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGES WERE QUICKLY APPROACHING EMPTY. SINCE HOSTILE TERRAIN WAS AHEAD THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND ONTO A ROAD. JUST PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN THE PLT NOTICED A CAR IN HIS LANDING PATH. A TURN WAS MADE DURING THE GO-AROUND AND THE ACFT WAS UNABLE TO OUTCLIMB RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT LANDED THE ACFT ONTO RISING TERRAIN WHERE THE NOSE WHEEL DUG IN AND BROKE OFF WITH THE ACFT NOSING OVER INVERTED. NO ABNORMALITIES OTHER THAN A DEAD BATTERY WAS FOUND. FUEL STAINS WERE EVIDENT ON THE GROUND AND 8+ GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINED IN THE FUEL TANKS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:21 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN1935F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBob Tuning
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured1
Total3
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data