# NTSB DEN86LTM01: Cessna 172, N64005, Brigham City, UT, December 22, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 22, 1985, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Brigham City, UT
- Coordinates: 41.51091, -112.03971 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5109&lon=-112.0397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17058
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LTM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17058/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LTM01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CONTACTED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A DESCENT THROUGH FOG. THE PLT STATED THAT ON THE RETURN FLT FROM MALAD, ID, HE BEGAN FOLLOWING A MOUNTAIN RANGE WHICH HE BELIEVED WOULD TAKE HIM BACK TO OGDEN. HOWEVER, THE RANGE GUIDED HIM SOUTHWEST OF THE DESIRED COURSE. THE PLT THEN BEGAN A DESCENT INTO THE FOG OVER WHAT HE THOUGHT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WILLARD BAY, AN OPEN VALLEY, BUT IN REALITY HE WAS IN THE PROMONTORY MOUNTAINS. AT AN ALT OF APRX 5000 FT MSL THE PASSENGER SAW BRUSH BENEATH THE ACFT AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN OCCURRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64005](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64005-1986-08-25), registration cancelled 1986-08-25, S/N 17264953 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264953
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hill Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MLD, MALAD, ID
- Destination: OGD, OGDEN, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 60 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 310° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken
- Temperature: 19 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OGD, 30 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 19851222063489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851222063489A), Dec 22, 1985: Cessna 172M, Brigham City, UT, Destroyed. Descended through fog and haze layer into unexpected mountainous terrain. Impacted side of mountain.

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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