# NTSB DEN87FA014: Cessna 172M, N3263B, Bozeman, MT, November 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1986, 17:40 local (Nov 4, 1986, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Bozeman, MT
- Coordinates: 45.769378, -110.930648 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7694&lon=-110.9306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA014

## Analysis

THE PLT AND HIS 2 PAX'S WENT FLYING TO SPOT ELK IN A CANYON AREA. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT LOW OVER TREES WHEN IT SUDDENLY SHUDDERED, BANKED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, THEN ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE CANYON. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE ELEV OF THE CRASH SITE WAS ABOUT 6000 FT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3263B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3263B-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17267079, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267079
- Airframe hours: 1994
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: George D. Cansler
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 1986
- Departed: BZN, BOZEMAN, MT
- Destination: BZN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; flight instructor, military, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,041 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BZN, 20 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 19861103053279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861103053279A), Nov 3, 1986: Cessna 172M, Bozeman, MT, Destroyed, 2 fatal. The aircraft struck trees while spotting elk. Suspect the pilot became distracted and flew too low to recover.

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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