# NTSB DEN87FA038: Cessna 172N, N5153K, Central, UT, December 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1986, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Central, UT
- Coordinates: 37.389205, -113.63031 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3892&lon=-113.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17088/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT AND 3 PASSENGERS WERE ON A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLT OVER THE PINE VALLEY MOUNTAIN RANGE. THE PLT STATED THAT HE MADE THREE 360 DEG TURNS TO GAIN ALT FROM 7500 FT TO 9500 FT. HE ALSO STATED THAT UPON LEVELING AT 9500 FT THE ENG BEGAN TO LOSE PWR. ATTEMPTS TO RESTORE PWR BY LEANING THE MIXTURE AND APPLYING CARB HEAT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. THE PLT EXECUTED A FORCED LANDING IN A WILDERNESS AREA. POST CRASH EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL ENG OPERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5153K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5153K-1989-07-26), registration cancelled 1989-07-26, S/N 17273990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273990
- Airframe hours: 1754
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Services West, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1986, 94 hours before
- Departed: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,100 total, 95 in this make and model, 5,450 as pilot in command, 310 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 19 °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 19861229069879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861229069879A), Dec 29, 1986: Cessna 172N, Central, UT, Substantial damage. The aircraft struck trees in high terrain. Pilot reported loss of engine power. No mechanical malfunctions found.

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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