Probable cause
The student pilot’s inadequate inflight navigation and the flight instructors delayed remedial action which resulted in a collision with trees.
NTSB analysis
The flight instructor reported that, while conducting mountain flying training, and using roads as a primary means of navigation, the pilot rated student made a wrong turn due to smoke/haze and entered an area where the airplane could not out climb terrain. The flight instructor assumed control of the airplane which subsequently collided with vegetation (trees). The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA332 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 29, 2021
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Wenatchee, Washington
- Nearest airport
- (N/A)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172P
- N-number
- N51547
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1980
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.