Cessna 172P accident near Olympia, WA
On October 30, 2004, a Cessna 172P (airplane) was involved in an accident near Olympia, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- October 30, 2004
- Place
- Olympia, WA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 47.002°N, 123.066°W
- NTSB ID
- 20041103X01747
Official records · SEA05FA013
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
Air traffic control records
- Air Traffic Communication (Transcript): Transcript (PDF), on ntsb.gov
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 29, 2004, about 2354 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N53161, registered to a private individual and operated by Eagle Flight Center of Troutdale, Oregon, as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with mountainous terrain located about 6 miles west of the Olympia, Washington, Airport. Visual meteorological conditions were reported at the Olympia Airport and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight departed from Paine Field, Everett, Washington, about one hour prior to the accident and was destined to Troutdale, Oregon. Personnel from Eagle Flight Center reported that on October 29, the pilot rented the aircraft and checked out the gas card around 1700. The aircraft was to be returned by noon on 10/30/04. The Supervisor of the Air Traffic Controllers at Paine Field reported that she listened to the tower tapes following the accident and reported that the aircraft arrived in the Paine Field area about 1930. The pilot indicated to the controller that she could not see the field and the controller responded that she was right over the field. The pilot then asked if the lights could be turned up, which they were. The pilot then entered a left downwind and landed without incident. The controller reported that the next encounter with the aircraft was about 2045 when it departed from the airport. The tower closed at 2100. The pilot's cousin reported that he had received a call from the pilot indicating that she was flying up to visit him and would
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from terrain while maneuvering in known adverse weather conditions. Clouds, rain, high wind, dark night, trees, mountainous terrain and the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision were factors.
More accidents in WA
- Dehavilland DHC-3, Sep 4, 2022
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- Beech A60, Nov 21, 1992
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.
