Cessna 172D accident near Kennewick, Washington, November 26, 1986
On November 26, 1986 at about 1:30 pm local time, a Cessna 172D, registered N2349U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Kennewick, Washington (Vista Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 26, 1986 · about 1:30 pm local time
- Place
- Kennewick, Washington · Vista Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 3 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172D · all 172Ds on the register
- Registration
- N2349U · no longer on the register · serial 17249949
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS SEATED IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT WITH THE STUDENT PILOT IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT. THE PVT PILOT ALLOWED THE STUDENT PILOT TO TAKEOFF. THE STUDENT OVER ROTATED AND THE STALL WARNING WAS SOUNDING. THE PVT PILOT TOOK COMMAND OF THE AIRCRAFT BUT AT 60 FEET AGL WAS TOO LOW TO RECOVER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLARE THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO STRIKING THE GROUND. THE AIRCRAFT MUSHED INTO THE GROUND NOSE FIRST WITH THE RIGHT WING LOW.
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: 185 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: S98 Kennewick WA at 1:30 pm
- Destination: TWF Twin Falls ID
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 29, 3,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: dawn
- Wind: from 230° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from PSC, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 1 | ||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.