# NTSB DEN85FA222: Cessna 172P II, N54168, Cedar City, UT, August 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1985, 19:25 local (Aug 18, 1985, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Cedar City, UT
- Coordinates: 37.590251, -113.189933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5903&lon=-113.1899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16552
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85FA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16552/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85FA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - rising

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK THREE OF HIS FRIENDS UP FOR A PLEASURE FLT IN THE LOCAL AREA OF CEDAR CITY, UTAH. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PLT CONTINUED TO CLIMB HIS ACFT AS IT PASSED OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE FLT TERMINATED IN A BOX CANYON WITH HIGH TERRAIN ON ALL SIDES. THE ACFT IMPACTED THREES AND WAS DESTROYED IN A POST ACCIDENT FIRE. THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54168](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54168-2013-08-15), registration cancelled 2013-08-15, S/N 17274898, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P II
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273898
- Airframe hours: 1792
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Freedom Aviation
- Registered owner: S. H. Daniels
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1984, 130 hours before
- Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 72 total, 21 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CDC, 15 nm away

## 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 19850817039099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850817039099A), Aug 17, 1985: Cessna 172P, Cedar City, UT, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into a box canyon at dusk. Hit trees on the canyon side in a vertical attitude.

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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