# Accident 19970402010139A: Cessna T210N, Grand Canyon, AZ, April 2, 1997

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: April 2, 1997
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Normal Cruise
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.0309° N, 112.0196° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0309&lon=-112.0196&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6172C, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6172C-2013-04-26) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna T210N (registry code 2073456, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental TSIO-520 series (registry code 17040, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210N
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX97FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA143) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970402010139A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON APRIL 2, 1997, AT 2016 HOURS MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A CESSNA T210N, N6172C, COLLIDED WITH SNOW COVERED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN IN A WILDERNESS AREA ON THE NORTH RIM OF THE GRAND CANYON IN ARIZONA. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED AND THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT/OWNER AND HIS PASSENGER RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.  THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED BY THE PILOT/OWNER AS A PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER 14 CFR PART 91 WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.  THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED IN LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO, AND WAS EN ROUTE TO NORTH LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT AT CRUISE ALTITUDE AND AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. AT 1956, THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE LOS ANGELES AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER (ARTCC) CONTROLLER THAT HE LOST HIS ALTERNATOR (MALFUNCTION) AND THAT HE WAS SWITCHING TO HIS STANDBY GENERATOR. AT 1958, THE PILOT CALLED REQUESTING A LOWER ALTITUDE AND STATED THAT HE WAS IN THE CLOUDS WITHOUT ANY (COCKPIT) LIGHTING.  HE WAS CLEARED FROM FLIGHT LEVEL (FL) 190 DOWN TO 15,000 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL (MSL).  HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE GRAND CANYON AIRPORT WAS OPEN AND WOULD REMAIN OPEN BEYOND ITS SCHEDULED CLOSING TIME IF H E CHOSE TO LAND THERE. HE WAS TOLD THAT GRAND CANYON WAS REPORTING 6,000 FEET OVERCAST; HOWEVER, THE CONTROLLER DID NOT KNOW IF THERE IS A CLEAR LAYER BETWEEN FL 190 AND 6,000 FEET.  THE PILOT REPLIED THAT HE WAS "LOOKING FOR IT" (A CLEAR LAYER).  THERE WAS NO DISCUSSION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A CLIMB TO AN "ON TOP" FL.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX97FA143](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA143), Apr 3, 1997: Cessna T210N (N6172C), Grand Canyon, AZ, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation and his lack of proficiency in conducting instrument flight. Contributing were the inoperative alternator, cockpit…

## Other reports on N6172C (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19810813049452A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810813049452A), Aug 13, 1981: Cessna T210N (N6172C), Zanesville, OH, Substantial damage. Was struck by N3970Y that was on a collision course and unnoticed. Landed safely. Had right-of-way.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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