# Accident 20150819013709A: Cessna 172P, Helena, MT, August 19, 2015

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 19, 2015, 22:00 local time
- Place: Helena, MT
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 46.6553° N, 111.5586° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6553&lon=-111.5586&mi=10
- Aircraft: N62731, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62731-2018-03-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172P (registry code 2072436, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 280 total, 276 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150819013709A

## Narrative

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

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.

## 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 WPR15FA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA247), Aug 20, 2015: Cessna 172P (N62731), Townsend, MT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The 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…

## Other reports on N62731 (1)

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

- [Accident 19921028044369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921028044369A), Oct 28, 1992: Cessna 172P (N62731), Lind, WA, Substantial damage. Encountered fog and low ceiling near dusk. Tried divert neaby airport. Unable. Landed rough field. Cartwheeled.

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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