# NTSB DEN86LA089: Cessna 172F, N7879U, Ephraim, UT, March 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1986, 18:45 local (Mar 3, 1986, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Ephraim, UT
- Coordinates: 39.350395, -111.570281 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3504&lon=-111.5703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16929
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16929/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - notams - issued, airport personnel
  - notams - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing
  - landing light(s) - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - light condition - dark night

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, UPON HIS ARRIVAL AT THE DEST ARPT, HE COULD NOT ACTIVATE THE RWY LGHTS BY RADIO, SO HE PROCEEDED TO THE NEAREST ARPT. HE STATED HE COULD NOT FIND HIS ALTERNATE ARPT BEACON LIGHT, SO HE REVERSED DIRECTION AND HEADED ONCE MORE TO HIS ORIGINAL DEST. THE PLT SAID THE ENG QUIT BEFORE HE REACHED THE ARPT AND A FORCED LANDING WAS ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT A LANDING LIGHT BECAUSE IT WAS INOP. THE PLT SAID THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF HE HAD CALLED SLC FSS AND RECEIVED LOCAL NOTAMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7879U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7879U-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 17251879, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251879
- Airframe hours: 1250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. Ford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1985
- Departed: BOISE, ID
- Destination: 41U, EPHRAIM, UT
- Flight plan: VFR

## 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: 188 total, 125 in this make and model, 128 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19860302004529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860302004529A), Mar 2, 1986: Cessna 172F, Ephraim, UT, Substantial damage. Exhausted fuel while looking for airport at night. Struck a hay bale on rollout in a field and nosed over.

## Other investigations on N7879U (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 ANC66D0072](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC66D0072), Sep 12, 1965: Cessna 172 (N7879U), Skwentna, AK, 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.

---
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.