# NTSB DEN79FA037: Cessna 172, N3047V, Centennial, WY, May 4, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 4, 1979
- Place: Centennial, WY · CENTENNIAL, WY
- Location: 41.3068° N, 106.1376° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Centennial, WY, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3068&lon=-106.1376&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 29, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 135507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN79FA037
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79FA037

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3245   79/5/4  NR.CENTENNIAL,WY      CESSNA 172          CR-  1  0  0  MISCELLANEOUS             COMMERCIAL, AGE 43, 1097
        TIME - 1205                    N3047V              PX-  1  1  0  SEARCH AND RESCUE         TOTAL HOURS, 199 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          LARAMIE,WY                  LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: LOW PASS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISIONS OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - DOWNDRAFT,UPDRAFTS
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          NONE                                                     VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- D/A APRX 12700FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3047V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3047V-1981-05-05), registration cancelled 1981-05-05, S/N R1722237, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19790504040819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790504040819A), May 4, 1979: Cessna R172K, Centennial, WY, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Airplane on search mission flying at a low altitude in mountainous area hit trees on rising terrain.

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.

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