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NTSB Report
October 6, 1985 · Cessna 172 · N7798X
Medford, OR
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 6, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Medford, OR
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7798X
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA86LA005
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ROCKY TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT IN A STEEP DESCENDING LEFT TURN AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT AGL. THE DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED 1.5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ROCKY TERRAIN DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A LOSS OF PWR. A WITNESS REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT IN A STEEP DESCENDING LEFT TURN AT AN ALT OF APRX 100 FT AGL. THE DESCENT CONTINUED UNTIL THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE TERRAIN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT DISCLOSED 1.5 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THE LEFT FUEL TANK WAS FOUND EMPTY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 PDT
Nearest Airport7nm NW
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7798X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC