# NTSB LAX78FA020: Cessna 182F, N3117U, Sells, AZ, January 7, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: January 7, 1978
- Place: Sells, AZ · SELLS, AZ
- Location: 31.9209° N, 111.8709° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sells, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.9209&lon=-111.8709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 143213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78FA020
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA020

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0463   78/1/7  NR.SELLS,AZ           CESSNA 182F         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 68, 4000
        TIME - 1905                    N3117U              PX-  1  0  0  BUSINESS                  TOTAL HOURS, 109 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
         SELLS,AZ                     PHOENIX,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - ATTEMPTED OPERATION BEYOND EXPERIENCE/ABILITY LEVEL
        REMARKS- PLT HAD NOT FLOWN AT NIGHT AS PIC.HE WOULD USUALLY LAND BEFORE DARKNESS & CONTINUE NEXT DAY.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3117U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3117U-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 18265136, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182F
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19780107006699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780107006699A), Jan 7, 1978: Cessna 182F, Sells, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Plt had not flown at night as PIC.he would usually land before dass & continue next day.

## Other investigations on N3117U (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 DEN81DTM23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN81DTM23), May 7, 1981: Cessna 182P (N3117U), Monument Vly, UT, substantial damage

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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