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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 14, 2002 · Cessna 170B · N8065A

Rainier, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 14, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Rainier, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 170B
Tail Number
N8065A
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA02LA054

The pilot was attempting to land to the southwest on a grass runway. As he cleared the tree line, the pilot reduced power and increased his sink rate. The pilot noticed that the aircraft was descending too fast and added power, however, the airplane continued to settle and collided with trees. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain approximately 100 feet short of the intended runway. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain the proper decent rate on approach. A factor was the trees in close proximity to the airport.

Full Narrative

On March 14, 2002, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 170B, N8065A, sustained substantial damage after colliding with trees and terrain at Taylor Airport (3WA0), a private airstrip near Rainier, Washington. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane is owned by a private party, and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal/pleasure flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Western Airpark, Yelm, Washington, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. In a written statement, the pilot reported that as he cleared the trees on final approach, he "...eased the nose over and powered back to descend to the runway. The aircraft began to settle very fast (much more than usual), I added power, but before the power could take hold, the left wing struck a tree about 2 inches from the tip." The aircraft then collided with nearby trees as it fell to the ground, and came to rest nose down approximately 100 feet from the approach end of the runway. At 1354, the Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at Olympia, Washington (KOLM), approximately 11 nautical miles west of the accident site, reported winds 220 degrees at 11 knots, few clouds at 2900 feet, broken clouds at 4800 feet, visibility 10 statue miles, temperature 6 degrees Celsius, dew point 1 degree Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.23 inches. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failure on the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report Form.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 PST
Nearest AirportTaylor Airport (0nm)
Runway15
Runway Length1600 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 170B
Tail NumberN8065A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-145-2 · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 11 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 34 C
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time21:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data