# NTSB GAA16CA358: Cessna 172, N52071, Bountiful, UT, July 1, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 1, 2016, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Bountiful, UT - Coordinates: 40, -111.839996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0000&lon=-111.8400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 31, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93538 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA358 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93538/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93538 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA358 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to fly into a canyon without sufficient room to reverse course if necessary, which resulted in an emergency landing, loss of directional control, collision with terrain, and a post-crash fire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Ability to respond/compensate (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Evacuation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 103 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/460/sequence.md) - [Post-impact: Fire/smoke (post-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 354 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/170/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during an "introductory flight" for two passengers, he departed the airport and flew into a canyon where the airplane encountered an "unforeseen immense downdraft". He further reported that he immediately initiated a right turn to exit the canyon but it became clear that a turn was not possible due to the mountainous terrain. Subsequently, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing on a mountain road. After touchdown the airplane skidded off the dirt road and down an embankment. A post-crash fire resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation the pilot reported that he should have given himself more altitude before entering the canyon. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during an "introductory flight" for two passengers, he departed the airport and flew into a canyon where the airplane encountered an "unforeseen immense downdraft". He further reported that he immediately initiated a right turn to exit the canyon but it became clear that a turn was not possible due to the mountainous terrain. Subsequently, the pilot decided to make an emergency landing on a mountain road. After touchdown the airplane skidded off the dirt road and down an embankment. A post-crash fire resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. As a safety recommendation the pilot reported that he should have given himself more altitude before entering the canyon. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52071](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52071-2018-03-27), registration cancelled 2018-03-27, S/N 17274406, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274406 - Year built: 1980 - Airframe hours: 12414.8 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 2016 - Departed: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT - Destination: BTF, BOUNTIFUL, UT - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 6, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 475 total, 30 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KPVU, 14 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 20160701010289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160701010289A), Jul 1, 2016: Cessna 172P, Farmington, UT, Destroyed. CE-172 with three occupants entered a narrow and steep up sloping canyon near Farmington Utah. At some point the pilot realized that the aircraft was not… ## Other investigations on N52071 (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 CEN10CA513](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA513), Aug 28, 2010: Cessna 172P (N52071), Bartlesville, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff due to an improper flap setting. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 9, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93538. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Airplane Photograph (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 619 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443001&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Airplane%20Photograph%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.