Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from trees along the side of the landing area. Factors include a landing area surrounded by tall trees.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 11, 1999, approximately 1330 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8995V, impacted trees during an off-airport landing near Tahola, Washington. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR 91 business flight, which departed Hoquiam, Washington, about two and one-half hours earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.
According to the pilot, he was landing on a newly cleared roadway in order to look at a nearby construction project. Just after touchdown, the aircraft bounced back into the air. When it touched back down, it veered to the right and one of its wings contacted tree limbs along the side of the landing area. According to the pilot, there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft or its directional control systems. On the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot recommended "Not landing in such a narrow landing area."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA99LA160