# NTSB DEN85LA237: Cessna 172P, N52456, Monument Valley, UT, September 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1985, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Monument Valley, UT
- Coordinates: 37.080936, -110.250671 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0809&lon=-110.2507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN85LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16759/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN85LA237

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING HIS APPROACH TO LDG HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT. HE SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE A/C. THE A/C STALLED AND IMPACTED THE GRD HARD CAUSING SUBST DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52456 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274530
- Airframe hours: 1112
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Nicholas A. Orsini
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1985, 85 hours before
- Departed: GCN, GRAND CANYON, AZ
- Destination: 71V, MONUMENT VALLEY, UT
- Airport: 71V, Monument Valley, runway 16, 3,100 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 388 total, 388 in this make and model, 278 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 225° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point -0 °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 19850904049759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850904049759A), Sep 4, 1985: Cessna 172P, Monument Valley, UT, Substantial damage. Encountered downdraft on final and bounced on landing. Went around but stalled during turn, cartwheeled on impact.

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.