# NTSB FTW94LA173: Cessna 172N, N1422E, Page, AZ, May 23, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1994, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Page, AZ - Coordinates: 36.680423, -111.410041 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6804&lon=-111.4100&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19066 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW94LA173 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19066/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW94LA173 ## Probable cause THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN AT THE PILOT'S DISPOSAL. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - reason for occurrence undetermined - Forced landing, descent - emergency - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE PILOT MADE A POWER REDUCTION FOR THE INITIAL DESCENT FROM 8,500 FEET MSL. AFTER DESCENDING APPROXIMATELY 1,000 FEET, A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. FOLLOWING AN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT AT A RESTART, THE PILOT BRIEFED THE PASSENGERS FOR THE FORCED LANDING. THE AREA TERRAIN WAS ROCKY AND RUGGED. THE PILOT SELECTED A SANDY HILL SLOPED AT 20 TO 30 DEGREES FOR THE FORCED LANDING. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE TOUCHDOWN AND LANDING ROLL SEQUENCE, AND AFTER THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER COMING TO REST INVERTED. A DETAILED ENGINE INSPECTION AND TEST RUN FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED NORMAL ENGINE OPERATION. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 1994, at 0900 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N1422E, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Page, Arizona. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured, while a second passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was owned and operated by Scenic Airlines Inc., of Page, Arizona, a 14 CFR Part 135 operator. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local sightseeing flight. According to the operator, the flight departed at 0735 for a tour that would include Monument Valley. During the return flight, while at 8,500 feet MSL, approximately 15 miles from the airport, the pilot made a power reduction to establish a 500 feet per minute rate of descent. After descending approximately 1,000 feet, a total loss of engine power occurred. The pilot went through the emergency procedures but was not able to restart the engine. The pilot stated that he briefed the passengers for the impending forced landing, as he proceeded to the selected forced landing area. The aircraft landed on a sandy hill with a 20 to 30 degree slope. The pilot reported that the airplane bounced several times during the touchdown and landing roll sequence. After the nose gear broke and dug into the sand, the airplane nosed over, coming to rest in the inverted position. A detailed examination of the engine and its accessories, as well as a satisfactory engine test run, were completed by the operator. No anomalies were found that could have contributed to the loss of engine power. A detailed report is enclosed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1422E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1422E), registered now, S/N 17270991, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270991 - Airframe hours: 6252 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Scenic Airlines, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1994, 37 hours before - Departed: PGA - Destination: PGA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,300 total, 185 in this make and model, 1,183 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 23 °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 19940523017669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940523017669A), May 23, 1994: Cessna 172N, Page, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power on descent. Landed on a sandy hill. Nose gear dug in and broke. Nosed over. No engine defects found. ## Other investigations on N1422E (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 DEN08CA020](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA020), Oct 24, 2007: Cessna 172N (N1422E), Grand Junction, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. 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.