ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 188533
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Monday 4 July 2016 |
| Time: | 23:00 |
| Type: |  Cessna 172F Skyhawk |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N7870U |
| MSN: | 17251870 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1964 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 4372 hours |
| Engine model: | Continental O-300 SER |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 3 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Pacific Ocean, off Lone Ranch Beach, Curry County, OR -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Brookings, OR (BOK) |
| Grants Pass, OR (3S8) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The non-instrument-rated pilot departed for the third leg of a cross-country flight in the airplane during dark (moonless) night conditions. The departure path was toward the ocean and over an area with few ground-based light sources to provide visual cues. A witness heard an airplane flying nearby and assumed that it was taking off from the airport. As the airplane continued, he heard a reduction in engine power, like a pilot throttling back while landing. According to the witness, the engine did not sputter. Review of the recorded radar data showed that the airplane turned left shortly after takeoff and climbed to about 700 ft above ground level as it passed near the witness's location. The airplane did not arrive at its destination, and a search was initiated. The wreckage of the airplane was found in ocean waters about 2 miles west of the departure airport. Although visual meteorological conditions prevailed, no natural horizon and few external visual references were available during the departure. This required the pilot to monitor the flight instruments to maintain awareness of the airplane's attitude and altitude. Given the lack of external visual cues and the the pilot's lack of recent night flight experience and his lack of an instrument rating, it is likely that the pilot became spatially disorientated during the departing left turn.
The main wreckage was not recovered. Therefore, it could not be determined whether any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were present.
Probable Cause:
The pilot's spatial disorientation and loss of situational awareness during the departure turn in dark night conditions, which resulted in an in-flight collision with water.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB
FAA register: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=7870U
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 06-Jul-2016 02:38 | Geno | Added |
| 07-Jul-2016 01:46 | Geno | Updated [Date] |
| 10-Jul-2016 12:56 | gerard57 | Updated [Total fatalities, Other fatalities, Narrative] |
| 18-Jul-2016 05:13 | Geno | Updated [Registration, Cn, Operator, Source] |
| 09-Aug-2016 07:27 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 16-Apr-2018 19:29 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Operator, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation