Cessna 172 N7301A

Summary

On 30 May 2003 at about 16:58 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N7301A was involved in an accident near Republic, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 May 2003 at 16:58

Classification

Accident

Location

Republic, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.6147, -118.4647

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N7301A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Republic → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA03FA089

2 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and subsequent loss of control during low altitude maneuvering.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot, with one passenger/observer aboard, was conducting an aerial search for a missing person in mountainous terrain. Witnesses to the accident reported that the airplane was observed on a westerly heading (in the direction of the summit) just above the treetops. A witness stated the airplane was in a level flight attitude when it suddenly banked sharply to the left and entered a steep descent, ultimately impacting terrain in a nose low attitude. The wreckage came to rest approximately 50 feet south (down hill) from a series of high-tension power lines. A series of parallel scratch marks were observed on both wings of the airplane, however, no damage was noted to the power lines or associated support structures. Post accident examination of the engine, airframe and associated components revealed no evidence of a pre impact mechanical failure or anomaly.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.