Cessna 172G accident near Kettle Falls, Washington, July 25, 1996
On July 25, 1996 at about 3:00 am local time, a Cessna 172G, registered N4478L, was destroyed in an accident near Kettle Falls, Washington (Rickey Point (Private) airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate preflight planning. Factors relating to the accident were: high ambient temperatures; departing from a short, grass runway; and tall trees off the departure end of the airstrip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 1996 · about 3:00 am local time
- Place
- Kettle Falls, Washington · Rickey Point (Private) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172G · all 172Gs on the register
- Registration
- N4478L · no longer on the register · serial 172-54573
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot initiated a takeoff from a 1,850 foot grass airstrip, with an ambient temperature of about 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The aircraft barely cleared the trees at the end of the runway, then it settled into trees about one-quarter mile from the end of the airstrip. Later calculations determined the density altitude to be approximately 3,000 feet. The pilot reported that there had not been any problem with the aircraft's engine. Later, the pilot stated that he should have either waited to take off when the temperatures were lower, or he should have reduced the fuel load.
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: 1,350 hours in all; 1,310 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,285 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,610 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 4, 1995; 198 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: Bissell WA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 1,850 ft by 50 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.