Cessna 172L accident near Anacortes, WA
On August 26, 1998, a Cessna 172L (airplane) was involved in an accident near Anacortes, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 26, 1998
- Place
- Anacortes, WA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 48.460°N, 122.600°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001211X10953
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 26, 1998, approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, a float-equipped Cessna 172L, N1069M, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with sea-level terrain on a private island about 7 miles southwest of Anacortes, Washington. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The passenger was fatally injured. The aircraft was last seen taxiing out of Cornet Bay, near Oak Harbor, Washington, about 30 minutes prior to the accident. A boater, who was traveling southbound down the east side of Allan Island, stated that the overcast was about 400 to 500 feet above the water level. The visibility was from one-quarter to one-half mile. The boater stated that as he came around the inlet, he spotted the aircraft up against the rocks, and at first did not realize that an accident had occurred. The boater decided to have a closer look and as he neared the aircraft, he saw a person get out of the airplane, then go back in, then come back out. This person turned around to face the boater, and it was at this time that the boater knew that an accident had just occurred because of the injuries that were observed. The boater used a cell phone to call for help before going ashore to help the pilot. While on shore, the boater checked the occupant who was still in the airplane. The boater stated that this person was positioned with his lower body on the right seat and his upper body was laying over on t
Probable cause
Terrain clearance was not maintained. A low ceiling and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors.
More accidents in WA
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Browse: Washington · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
