Cessna 172L accident near Sisters, Oregon, June 8, 1996
On June 8, 1996 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172L, registered N7849G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sisters, Oregon (Sisters Eagle Air airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during a go-around, which resulted in his failure to maintain proper runway alignment. Factors relating to the accident were: the variable/gusty crosswind condition, and the proximity of the hanger and fence to the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 1996 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Sisters, Oregon · Sisters Eagle Air · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · all 172Ls on the register
- Registration
- N7849G · no longer on the register · serial 17259549
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to land on runway 20 with a crosswind from the right. The passenger (his wife) stated: 'We were coming in for a landing which seemed to be right on target. On touchdown we became airborne two times and on the third time the pilot decided to do a go around when a gust of wind pushed us into a [hangar], [through] a fence where we came to a stop....' The hangar and fence were located about 185 feet (left) from the runway edge. The pilot reported variable winds between 15 and 20 knots. About 17 miles east at Redmond, CA, the 1435 PDT wind was from 330 degrees at 12 gusting 16 knots. The pilot's third class medical certificate was dated 4/16/93, although he was issued a new third class certificate on 6/12/96.
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: 271 hours in all; 178 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 222 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,918 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 10, 1996; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TTD Troutdale OR at 10:15 pm
- Destination: 6K5
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 20, 3,550 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.