The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Seattle, Washington
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: Port Angeles, Washington
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating a plane that crashed into the side of Klahhane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains on Wednesday, officials said Thursday.
A search and rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island hoisted the pilot of a Cessna 172 N to safety at about 9 a.m. after the pilot climbed to the top of the ridge about 8 miles south of Port Angeles, said Navy spokesperson Thomas Mills.
He said he was not able to disclose the pilot’s condition, but said the pilot was able to climb about 175 yards above the wreckage to the top of the snow-covered ridge to be rescued.
The owner of the plane according to FAA records is Jeffrey Well — who owns Rite Bros. He said Thursday night that he was not the pilot.
Authorities did not identify the pilot on Thursday.
A woman at Rite Bros said she was unable to comment on the situation.
The Navy was notified of the plane crash shortly after 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. The Navy team of five contacted the pilot on his cell phone and were able to find his exact location, Mills said.
Mills was unsure of the origin of the flight.
The plane “crashed under unknown circumstances on the rocky side of the mountain,” he said FAA spokesperson Allen Kenitzer in an email. “Authorities said that only the pilot was on board.”
He said he had no additional information.
Olympic National Park spokeswoman Penny Wagner said salvage preparations are underway and asked that the public avoid the area.
“It is a really steep and snow-covered slope and we ask that the public does not approach that crash site within 50 yards,” she said.
She said that because there is an active National Transportation Safety Board investigation she had no information other than what the Navy had provided.
Story and photos ➤ https://www.peninsuladailynews.com
Accident Number: GAA18CA248
Date & Time: May 2, 2018, 08:00 Local
Registration: N734QQ
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Aerodynamic stall/spin
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Positioning
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during a cross-country flight over mountainous terrain, he had a tailwind and allowed the airplane to get too close to terrain. He initiated a right turn to avoid rising terrain, but the terrain was "getting close very quickly." The pilot increased the bank angle, and the nose dropped. The pilot then applied forward pressure on the yoke, and full throttle had already been applied. The airplane stalled and then impacted terrain. Both wings and the fuselage sustained substantial damage.
In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aviation Accident Report, the pilot reported that his decision to delay the turn away from rising terrain was impulsive and the main reason for this accident.
The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a turn away from terrain, which resulted in an accelerated stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to delay the turn to avoid terrain.
Findings
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Angle of attack - Capability exceeded
Environmental issues Mountainous/hilly terrain - Effect on operation
Aircraft Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot
Personnel issues Delayed action - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Aerodynamic stall/spin (Defining event)
Maneuvering-low-alt flying Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Commercial; Flight instructor
Age: 23, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: April 5, 2018
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 14, 2018
Flight Time: (Estimated) 1390 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1280 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 235 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 87 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N734QQ
Model/Series: 172 N
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 17269034
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: April 24, 2018 Continuous airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2400 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 22574 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: C126 installed, activated, aided in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: O-320-D2G
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 160 Horsepower
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand air taxi (135)
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPWT,444 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 22 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 14:56 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 108°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: / Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: / None
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.13 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 10°C / 7°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: PORT ANGELES, WA (CLM)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Shelton, WA (SHN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 07:45 Local
Type of Airspace: Class G
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 47.598056,-123.276107(est)
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating a plane that crashed into the side of Klahhane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains on Wednesday, officials said Thursday.
A search and rescue team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island hoisted the pilot of a Cessna 172 N to safety at about 9 a.m. after the pilot climbed to the top of the ridge about 8 miles south of Port Angeles, said Navy spokesperson Thomas Mills.
He said he was not able to disclose the pilot’s condition, but said the pilot was able to climb about 175 yards above the wreckage to the top of the snow-covered ridge to be rescued.
The owner of the plane according to FAA records is Jeffrey Well — who owns Rite Bros. He said Thursday night that he was not the pilot.
Authorities did not identify the pilot on Thursday.
A woman at Rite Bros said she was unable to comment on the situation.
The Navy was notified of the plane crash shortly after 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. The Navy team of five contacted the pilot on his cell phone and were able to find his exact location, Mills said.
Mills was unsure of the origin of the flight.
The plane “crashed under unknown circumstances on the rocky side of the mountain,” he said FAA spokesperson Allen Kenitzer in an email. “Authorities said that only the pilot was on board.”
He said he had no additional information.
Olympic National Park spokeswoman Penny Wagner said salvage preparations are underway and asked that the public avoid the area.
“It is a really steep and snow-covered slope and we ask that the public does not approach that crash site within 50 yards,” she said.
She said that because there is an active National Transportation Safety Board investigation she had no information other than what the Navy had provided.
Story and photos ➤ https://www.peninsuladailynews.com
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