# NTSB DEN82FA038: Cessna 172, N3963F, 3nm East Of Mar, UT, March 5, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1982, 17:15 local (Mar 5, 1982, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: 3nm East Of Mar, UT
- Coordinates: 38.749439, -112.09906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7494&lon=-112.0991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN82FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN82FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE ACCIDENT AT THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT BLIZZARD LIKE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED, THAT THE SNOW FALL WAS DENSE & THE WIND WAS VARIABLE & GUSTING. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED ATOP A MOUNTAIN AT APPROXIMATELY THE 7500 FT LEVEL. PERSONS WHO KNEW THE PLT STATED HE WOULD FLY IN WX CONDITIONS EXCEEDING VFR CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3963F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3963F-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 36863, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36863
- Airframe hours: 2136
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald And Wanda Lee
- Registered owner: Donald And Wanda Lee
- Departed: KNB, KANAB, UT
- Destination: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 228 total, 218 in this make and model, 195 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Temperature: 86 °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 19820304002379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820304002379A), Mar 4, 1982: Cessna 172, Maryvale, UT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Crashed in mountainous area during a snowstorm at 7500 foot elevation.

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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