# NTSB DEN83FTI02: Cessna 172P, N4AM, Dillon, MI, October 23, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1982, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Dillon, MI
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 23, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70481
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTI02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70481/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTI02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - dawn (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - seat belt - not used, passenger (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND THREE PASSENGERS DEPARTED DILLON, MT AT ABOUT 0740 MDT TO SCOUT FOR ELK IN PREPARATION FOR HUNTING THE NEXT DAY. ACCORDING TO A PASSENGER, THEY FLEW DIRECTLY TO A MOUNTAIN AREA ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY WHERE THEY SPOTTED SOME ELK. HE SAID THAT WHILE THEY WERE TURNING AROUND FOR A BETTER VIEW, THE GROUND SUDDENLY CAME UP FAST, AND THEY CRASHED. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A 25 DEG RISING SLOPE AT AN ELEVATON OF ABOUT 7400 FT MSL. THREE OF THE FOUR OCCUPANTS DID NOT HAVE THEIR SEAT BELTS FASTENED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4AM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4AM), registered now, S/N 17274273 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274427
- Airframe hours: 1009
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dillon Flying Sw
- Registered owner: Dillon Flying Sw
- Departed: DILLON, MI
- Destination: DILLON, MI
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,499 total, 821 in this make and model, 1,336 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 240° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 117 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19821023054929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821023054929A), Oct 23, 1982: Cessna 172P, Dillon, MT, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed in mountainous area during game spotting flight. Other pilots reporting high winds.

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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