20150819013709A

Accident · Destroyed

FAA accident report · Cessna 172P · Helena, MT · August 19, 2015

Date: August 19, 2015 · 22:00 local
Place: Helena, MT
Phase of flight: Maneuver
Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
Damage: Destroyed
Aircraft: N62731
NTSB investigation: NTSBWPR15FA247
Reported as: Cessna 172P
Reported engine: Lycoming 0-320 series
People aboard: 2
Fatal injuries: 2
Other injuries: 0
Pilot’s certificate: Private pilot
Pilot’s flight hours: 280 total276 in this make and model

N62731Registration cancelled Mar 8, 2018 · Cessna 172PS/N 17275330 · Built 1981 Airframe modelCessna 172P Engine modelLycoming 0-320 seriesReciprocating

From the FAA’s Accident/Incident Data System (AIDS), through its Aviation Safety Information Portal, as reported. The NTSB investigates accidents separately, and its record of an accident is the fuller one. The aircraft is matched to the registry 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.

What happened

The FAA’s narrative, in sentence case. The FAA writes it in capitals and removes private details.

On 20 August 2015 at approximately 2200, N62731 departed Helena mt.(hln) with the destination of white sulphur springs (7S6) with two on board. The aircraft entered a side gulch of the intended route well below the rising terrain of the mountains and impacted the terrain at a 90° right wing down angle of bank.

As the FAA filed it

ON 20 AUGUST 2015 AT APPROXIMATELY 2200, N62731 DEPARTED HELENA MT.(HLN) WITH THE DESTINATION OF WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS (7S6) WITH TWO ON BOARD. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SIDE GULCH OF THE INTENDED ROUTE WELL BELOW THE RISING TERRAIN OF THE MOUNTAINS AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN AT A 90° RIGHT WING DOWN ANGLE OF BANK.

NTSB investigation

The NTSB’s investigation of this event, with its probable cause and findings. Matched to this report by N-number and date.

NTSB WPR15FA247Accident · 2 fatalField investigationFinal reportTownsend, MTThe non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to conduct a cross-country flight over a mountain range in dark night conditions with limited night flight experience, which resulted in a collision with mountainous terrain.Aug 20, 2015 · Substantial damage

Other reports on N62731 · 1

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

Accident 19921028044369AScud Running · Lind, WAEncountered fog and low ceiling near dusk. Tried divert neaby airport. Unable. Landed rough field. Cartwheeled.Oct 28, 1992 · Substantial damage