RICHWOOD, WV, USA
N848LF
Cessna 172P
Two pilots and a CAP check pilot were on an instructional flight at a CAP sponsored mountain flying clinic. The left seat pilot was on his first mission at the clinic. The right seat pilot was a CAP check pilot and was providing instruction on contour mountain searches. While flying at about 500 feet below a ridge at 70 knots with 10 degrees of flaps, the occupants noticed that the terrain was rising in front of them. The check pilot directed the left seat pilot to apply full power, climb, and fly straight-ahead. The airplane impacted trees in a wings level climbing attitude and came to rest inverted in the trees.
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 21, 1996, at about 0945 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172, N848LF, operated by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) as an instructional flight, sustained substantial damage when it impacted trees approximately 100 feet below a ridge line near Richwood, West Virginia. The pilot, CAP Check Pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The local flight originated from Beckley, West Virginia, at 0835. Visual meteorological conditions existed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot, CAP Check Pilot and passenger stated that the pilot was flying his first student mission at the CAP's Mountain flying clinic. The CAP Check Pilot was in the right seat and was providing instruction on contour mountain searches. They were flying about 500 feet below a ridge, which was on their right. They said they were flying at about 70 knots with 10 degrees of flaps when the terrain began to rise in front of them. The Check Pilot directed the pilot to apply full power, climb and fly straight-ahead and that a turn or wingover would not help. The aircraft impact trees in a wings level climbing flight attitude. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION/DOCUMENTATION The aircraft came to rest inverted, hanging in the trees 12 feet above the ground. The left wing was separated just outboard of the left wing strut. Both wings and the empannage were wrinkled. No pre-existing damage was noted during the examination.
improper in-flight planning/decision by the flight crew, and inadequate supervision by the check pilot, which resulted in the flight crew's failure to maintain altitude/clearance from trees on rising terrain. A factor relating to the accident was: rising/mountainous terrain.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
