# NTSB DEN82DA026: Cessna 172, N5447E, Bryce Canyon, UT, January 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: January 30, 1982, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Bryce Canyon, UT
- Location: 37.6283° N, 112.1677° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bryce Canyon, UT, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6283&lon=-112.1677&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70065
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82DA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70065/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82DA026

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVING FROM A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE PILOT LANDED ON AN ICY RUNWAY WITH CALM WIND CONDITIONS. DURING GROUND ROLL, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SLIDING TO THE LEFT. THE LEFT WHEEL HIT SNOW AND PULLED THE AIRCRAFT FURTHER LEFT. THE PILOT APPLIED RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT BRAKE, BUT THE PLANE CONTINUED LEFT INTO A SNOWBANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5447E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5447E-2013-04-09), registration cancelled 2013-04-09, S/N 17271871, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271871
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald Valestin
- Registered owner: Donald Valestin
- Departed: PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: OGDEN, UT
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Bryce Canyon, runway 3, 7,400 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,068 total, 300 in this make and model, 788 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 59 °F

## 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 19820130001519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820130001519A), Jan 30, 1982: Cessna 172N, Bryce Canyon, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot lost control of aircraft during landing on ice-covered runway.

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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