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Casualties unknown

Passenger Reports Clear Engine Sound Before Collision with Terrain (N835T)

Baker City, OR, US

On July 31, 1998, a Cessna 172 (registration N835T) operated by Bradly C. Kirkpatrick was involved in an aviation accident near Baker City, OR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A passenger reported that the pilot made altitude and heading changes to avoid clouds during a flight that ended with a collision into trees in steep, mountainous terrain. The engine sound was unchanged until impact.

Passenger Account

A passenger on the flight reported that as the flight continued, clouds and fog increased around the aircraft. The passenger recalled that the pilot made altitude and heading changes to remain clear of the clouds. When the accident occurred, the passenger stated that she had her head down and eyes closed because she was airsick. The passenger also stated that the engine sound never changed up to the time of the accident.

Weather Conditions

Prior to departure, the pilot obtained a weather briefing that forecasted isolated thunderstorm activity, mountain obscuration, and multiple layers of scattered and broken clouds.

Accident Site

Documentation of the accident site indicates that the aircraft collided with tree tops in steep mountainous terrain, and a level attitude, before coming to rest at the base of a tree stump. Wreckage was distributed along the length of the path for about 150 feet.

Pilot Rating

The pilot did not possess an instrument rating.

Related events

Same aircraft family

All Cessna 172 accidents →

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 Jul 1998 Cessna 172 accident near Baker City, OR?

A passenger reported that the pilot made altitude and heading changes to avoid clouds during a flight that ended with a collision into trees in steep, mountainous terrain. The engine sound was unchanged until impact.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 Jul 1998 involved a Cessna 172, registration N835T, operated by Bradly C. Kirkpatrick, at Baker City, OR.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance and inadequate in-flight planning/decision. Contributing to the accident was mountain obscuration.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001211X10731. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.