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NTSB Report

May 24, 1987 · Cessna 172 · N5711A

Ritzville, WA

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

May 24, 1987

Injury Outcomes

3 injuries (3 fatalities), 3 uninjured

Location

Ritzville, WA

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Tail Number

N5711A

Injuries

Fatal

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

SEA87FA100

OCCUPANTS OF BOTH ACFT WERE FAMILY MEMBERS TRAVELING IN COMPANY FOR HOLIDAY. TAKEOFF WAS ABOUT ONE MIN APART WITH N44726 IN TRAIL. DUE HIGHER NORM CRZ PERFORMANCE, N44726 OVERTOOK N5711A. PLT OF N44726 REDUCED SPEED AND ESTABLISHED POSITION ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO RIGHT OF N5711A AT SAME ALT. PLT OF N44726 STATED HE NEXT SAW N5711A DIRECTLY IN FRONT AS COLLISION OCCURRED. EVIDENCE SHOWS N44726 SEVERED TAIL CONE FROM N5711A JUST FWD OF EMPENNAGE. N44726 WAS LANDED SAFELY DESPITE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

Full Narrative

OCCUPANTS OF BOTH ACFT WERE FAMILY MEMBERS TRAVELING IN COMPANY FOR HOLIDAY. TAKEOFF WAS ABOUT ONE MIN APART WITH N44726 IN TRAIL. DUE HIGHER NORM CRZ PERFORMANCE, N44726 OVERTOOK N5711A. PLT OF N44726 REDUCED SPEED AND ESTABLISHED POSITION ABOUT 1/2 MILE TO RIGHT OF N5711A AT SAME ALT. PLT OF N44726 STATED HE NEXT SAW N5711A DIRECTLY IN FRONT AS COLLISION OCCURRED. EVIDENCE SHOWS N44726 SEVERED TAIL CONE FROM N5711A JUST FWD OF EMPENNAGE. N44726 WAS LANDED SAFELY DESPITE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time12:10 PDT

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172

Tail NumberN5711A

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageDestroyed

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-B · Reciprocating · 145 | Lycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities), 3 uninjured

Fatal3

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured3

Total6

Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Crew 2Age 62 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDaylight

WindCalm

Visibility25 sm

CeilingNone

Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C

Altimeter0

Weather SourceWIT

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May 24, 1987 · Cessna 172 · N5711A

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