# NTSB DEN85FA202: Cessna 172RG, N6156R, Wilsall, MT, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 29, 1985, 10:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Wilsall, MT
- Coordinates: 46.060684, -110.590888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.0607&lon=-110.5909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA202

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - preflight briefing service - performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command
  - notams - disregarded, pilot in command
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT OBTAINED A WX BRIEFING THAT FORECAST IMC. HE FILED A VFR FLT PLAN AND DEPARTED POLSON, MONTANA AT 0830 EN ROUTE TO POWELL, WYOMING. THE PLT SAID HE ENCOUNTERED LOW CEILINGS, LOW VISIBILITIES, AND DRIZZLE JUST PAST HELENA, MONTANA BUT HE CONTINUED. THE PLT SAID WHEN HE THOUGHT HE COULD GO NO FURTHER HE SLOWED THE ACFT AND STARTED A LEFT TURN. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND CRASHED INTO THE GROUND AT ABOUT 1010.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6156R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0097
- Airframe hours: 1326
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-FIA6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Theron R. Waln
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 1984, 32 hours before
- Departed: 8S1, POLSON, MT
- Destination: POY, POWELL, WY
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 9U1, Wilsall

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 425 total, 53 in this make and model, 364 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 50 ft overcast

## 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 19850729034599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850729034599A), Jul 29, 1985: Cessna 172RG, Wilsall, MT, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot encountered IFR conditions. Flew into valley which was off his course. Struck trees during turn back.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.