Cessna 172 accident near Republic, Washington, May 30, 2003
On May 30, 2003 at about 4:58 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N7301A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Republic, Washington. It was an aerial observation flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in a stall and subsequent loss of control during low altitude maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2003 · about 4:58 pm local time
- Place
- Republic, Washington · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N7301A · no longer on the register · serial 29401
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Aerial observation flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 953 hours in all; 885 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 5, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,809 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 17, 2002; 54 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: R49 Republic WA at 4:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 15,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Observation at 5:50 pm from 1050, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.