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NTSB Report
July 17, 1982 · Cessna 172M · N72655
Wenatchee, WA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1982
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Wenatchee, WA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N72655
Operator
Avx
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
SEA82FYP09
REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT, A GEOLOGIST, WAS ON A FLIGHT TO CHECK ROCK FORMATIONS. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING UP A CANYON AT LOW ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. ABOUT 3/4 MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, TWO WITNESSES ON A ROCKY CLIFF AT ABOUT 3500 FT MSL SAW THE PLANE PASS BELOW THEIR ELEVATION, JUST ABOVE THE TREE TOPS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A 35 DEG RISING SLOPE BETWEEN 2 PARKING LOTS AT A SKI LODGE. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT 4500 FT MSL. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Full Narrative
REPORTEDLY, THE PILOT, A GEOLOGIST, WAS ON A FLIGHT TO CHECK ROCK FORMATIONS. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED FLYING UP A CANYON AT LOW ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. ABOUT 3/4 MILE FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE, TWO WITNESSES ON A ROCKY CLIFF AT ABOUT 3500 FT MSL SAW THE PLANE PASS BELOW THEIR ELEVATION, JUST ABOVE THE TREE TOPS. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ON A 35 DEG RISING SLOPE BETWEEN 2 PARKING LOTS AT A SKI LODGE. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT 4500 FT MSL. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 PDT
Nearest AirportPangborn Field (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN72655
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorAvx
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 8 kt
Visibility30 sm
CeilingOvercast 23000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point17 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg