# NTSB FTW87FA031: Cessna 172K, N736XP, El Reno, OK, December 15, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 14, 1986, 19:00 local (Dec 15, 1986, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: El Reno, OK
- Coordinates: 35.539638, -97.959526 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5396&lon=-97.9595&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87FA031
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87FA031

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather evaluation - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - mental performance overload, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - not corrected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - climb - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIVATE PILOT OF CESSNA 172K ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT IN IFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTACTED OKC APPROACH CONTROL AND REQUESTED SPECIAL VFR APPROACH DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS. APPROACH DENIED SPECIAL VFR DUE TO LACK OF INSTRUMENT QUALIFICATION OF PILOT. PILOT WAS ISSUED RADAR VECTORS FOR LANDING AT NEARBY AIRPORT. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY BENEATH LOW CEILING IN FOG AND ALLOWED AIRCRAFT TO CONTACT TERRAIN. PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER FATALLY INJURED. SECOND PASSENGER SERIOUSLY INJURED. AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 150 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736XP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736XP-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N R1722872, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722822
- Airframe hours: 1624
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Max Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1986, 23 hours before
- Departed: F19, GRANITE, OK
- Destination: F29, EL RENO, OK
- Airport: F29, Page

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 152 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 180° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PWA, 18 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 19861214067299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861214067299A), Dec 14, 1986: Cessna R172K, El Reno, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft impacted the ground while the VFR pilot was attempting to maneuver in IFR weather conditions.

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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