# NTSB LAX84FA473: Cessna R172K, N736XF, Independence, CA, September 9, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1984, 07:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Independence, CA
- Coordinates: 36.830829, -118.239059 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8308&lon=-118.2391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24000
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA473
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24000/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA473

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
  - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT AND TWO PAX DEPARTED ON A PLEASURE FLT TO LOOK FOR A DEER HUNTING AREA. WITNESSES NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE STATED THAT THE SAW THE ACFT 'FLY DOWN THE CANYON ON A NORTHERLY HEADING, REVERSE COURSE AND ATTEMPT TO FLY UP THE CANYON.' THEY SAW THE ACFT APPROACH THE TOP OF A 10000 FT MOUNTAIN, THE ACFT NOSE 'PITCHED UP, STALLED AND CRASHED INTO THE 45 DEGREE RISING TERRAIN AS IT BANKED TO THE RIGHT.' THE DENSITY ALT WAS CALCULATED TO BE 10000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736XF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736XF-1986-09-11), registration cancelled 1986-09-11, S/N R1722864 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722864
- Airframe hours: 3007
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Walters, doing business as Walters Flying Service
- Registered owner: Thomas Suttle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1984, 35 hours before
- Departed: IYK, INYOKERN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 595 total, 114 in this make and model, 539 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19840909047489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840909047489A), Sep 9, 1984: Cessna R172K, Independence, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into canyon looking for hunting site. Stalled into rising terrain while attempting to climb out of canyon.

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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