# NTSB DEN86LA044: Cessna 172N, N739KU, Logan, UT, December 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1985, 22:00 local (Dec 16, 1985, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Logan, UT
- Coordinates: 41.719009, -111.840484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.7190&lon=-111.8405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16897
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16897/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA044

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - weather condition - fog (cause)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER A NIGHT DEPARTURE, THE ACFT ENTERED A FOG BANK. THE PLT SAID HE WAS TURNING TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND DESCENDING IN ORDER TO AVOID IMC. PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE TURN, THE PLT ENCOUNTERED IMC AND LOST ALL OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERNCE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE LEVELED THE ACFT'S WINGS AND PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE JUST PRIOR TO GROUND CONTACT. THE PVT PLT WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739KU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739KU-2013-08-28), registration cancelled 2013-08-28, S/N 17270611, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270611
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John T. Kezele
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: LGU, LOGAN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 115 total, 4 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 18 °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 19851215062209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851215062209A), Dec 15, 1985: Cessna 172N, Logan, UT, Substantial damage. Entered fog shortly after takeoff. Was able to flare prior to ground contact during the attempted course reversal.

## Other investigations on N739KU (1)

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.

- [NTSB DEN80DTC06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN80DTC06), Feb 12, 1980: Cessna 172N (N739KU), Kemmerer, WY, substantial damage

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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