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NTSB Report

September 21, 1985 · Cessna 172PII · N51698

Brinnon, WA

Overview

Report Status

Preliminary report

Event Type

Accident

Date

September 21, 1985

Injury Outcomes

3 injuries (3 fatalities)

Location

Brinnon, WA

Aircraft

Cessna 172PII

Tail Number

N51698

Operator

Ronald Hawks

Injuries

Fatal

Aircraft Damage

Destroyed

NTSB Number

SEA85LA224

ACFT COLLIDED WITH VERTICAL ROCK FACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN 32 MINS AFTER TAKEOFF ON NIGHT VFR INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION FLT, 31 MI WEST OF POINT OF DEPARTURE. RADAR TRK SHOWS ACFT PROCEEDED NW FOR 14 MINS, REVERSED COURSE FOR 4 MINS, THEN HEADED DUE WEST INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ELEV OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 3700 FT. CLOUD BASES IN THE AREA (SEA LEVEL) WERE REPORTED TO BE 3000 TO 4000 FT WITH 8 MILES VIS, SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND HAZE. A MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM REPORTED ON-SITE CONDITION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED COLLISION OCCURRED WITH THE ACFT IN LEVEL CRUISE FLT. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYEDBY IMPACT FORCES AND POST-IMPACT FIRE EXCEPT FOR THE OUTER WING PANELS AND EMPENNAGE. THE ACFT WAS NOT DME EQUIPPED AND AN INSTRUMENT TRAINING HOOD WAS ON BOARD.

Full Narrative

ACFT COLLIDED WITH VERTICAL ROCK FACE IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN 32 MINS AFTER TAKEOFF ON NIGHT VFR INSTRUMENT INSTRUCTION FLT, 31 MI WEST OF POINT OF DEPARTURE. RADAR TRK SHOWS ACFT PROCEEDED NW FOR 14 MINS, REVERSED COURSE FOR 4 MINS, THEN HEADED DUE WEST INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. ELEV OF THE CRASH SITE WAS 3700 FT. CLOUD BASES IN THE AREA (SEA LEVEL) WERE REPORTED TO BE 3000 TO 4000 FT WITH 8 MILES VIS, SCATTERED RAIN SHOWERS AND HAZE. A MOUNTAIN RESCUE TEAM REPORTED ON-SITE CONDITION OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED COLLISION OCCURRED WITH THE ACFT IN LEVEL CRUISE FLT. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYEDBY IMPACT FORCES AND POST-IMPACT FIRE EXCEPT FOR THE OUTER WING PANELS AND EMPENNAGE. THE ACFT WAS NOT DME EQUIPPED AND AN INSTRUMENT TRAINING HOOD WAS ON BOARD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident

Event Time20:28 PDT

Nearest Airport0nm N

Runway0

Runway Length0

Runway Width0

Flight Plan FiledNone

Aircraft FireGrd

Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172PII

Tail NumberN51698

Aircraft CategoryAir

DamageDestroyed

OperatorRonald Hawks

Operating RulePart 91

Engines1

Engine TypeReciprocating

Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160

Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)

Fatal3

Serious0

Minor0

Uninjured0

Total3

Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC

LightDark Night

Wind20° @ 6 kt

Visibility8 sm

CeilingBroken clouds 3700 ft

Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 52

Altimeter30.00 inHg

Observation Time03:52

Weather SourceWFAC

500 – Data service is offline

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September 21, 1985 · Cessna 172PII · N51698

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