Cessna 172P N65564

Summary

On 26 November 2002 at about 19:35 local time, a Cessna 172P registered N65564, operated by Wings of Wenatchee, Inc., was involved in an accident near Malaga, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 November 2002 at 19:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Malaga, Washington, United States

Coordinates

47.2881, -120.2961

Aircraft

Cessna 172P

Registration

N65564

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Wings of Wenatchee, Inc.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wenatchee → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03FA013

2 people died.

The pilot's attempted VFR flight into IMC resulting in the aircraft colliding with trees and up sloping terrain. Contributing factors were clouds, trees, and uphill terrain. The pilot’s performance and judgment were likely impaired by the effects of diphenhydramine and possibly by the effects of doxylamine.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The 70 hour non-instrument rated private pilot departed Wenatchee, Washington, with his passenger for a short scenic flight in the Cessna 172P. Weather at Wenatchee, located 8 nautical miles north-northeast of the accident site, both before and after the accident was reported as calm winds and 2,000 foot overcast (3,250 foot overcast above mean sea level). The aircraft departed approximately 1115 and, according to both the tachometer and Hobbs meter, flew approximately 20 minutes. The aircraft impacted trees on an approximate 140 degree magnetic heading while in nearly level flight. The aircraft continued 170 feet southeast bound and then impacted the 20 degree up-sloping terrain coming to rest near a logging road approximately 3,500 feet above mean sea level. Witnesses at the scene immediately after the accident reported the weather at the site as characterized by foggy conditions and poor visibility. No evidence of pre-impact mechanical malfunction was found with the aircraft/powerplant. Toxicological evaluation of samples from the pilot revealed the following drugs: Diphenhydramine present in urine, 0.107 (ug/ml, ug/g) Diphenhydramine detected in blood, Doxylamine present in urine, 0.042 (ug/ml, ug/g) Doxylamine detected in blood. Diphenhydramine (commonly known by the trade name Benadryl) is an over-the-counter antihistamine with sedative effects, often used to treat allergy symptoms. Doxylamine is another sedating over-the-counter antihistamine, often used in sleep aids such as Unisom. It is also commonly found in nighttime multi-symptom cold relievers.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.