# NTSB LAX84FA498: Cessna 172Q, N915ER, Prescott, AZ, September 27, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1984, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Prescott, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.619701, -112.420028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6197&lon=-112.4200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24005
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA498
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24005/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA498

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - level off - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - tree(s)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

DURING A DESCENT TO THE 5,042 FT ELEVATION ARPT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE TREES AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT THE 7,000 FT LEVEL. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, WITH THE HOODED STUDENT PILOT AT THE CONTROLS, THE FLIGHT BEGAN IT'S DESCENT FROM 10,500 FT 30 MILES FROM THE ARPT. DURING THE DESCENT THE LOCAL ALTIMETER SETTING WAS DIALED IN AND THE CFI REALIZED THE ACFT WAS TOO LOW. A CLIMB WAS CALLED FOR AND THE TREES WERE SEEN JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT. THE CFI STATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN WORKING ON VOR INTERCEPTS DURING THE DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N915ER](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N915ER-1995-08-25), registration cancelled 1995-08-25, S/N 17275930 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 172Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172q) (registry code 2072437) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75930
- Airframe hours: 2407
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4N 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Embry-Riddle Aero. Univ.
- Registered owner: Cessna Finance Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, September 27, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Destination: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 354 total, 238 in this make and model, 182 as pilot in command, 91 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 15 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 19840927025249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840927025249A), Sep 27, 1984: Cessna 172Q, Prescott, AZ, Destroyed. Instructor allowed student pilot to fly too low, collided with trees. ATC strip misfiled,delayed,search and rescue.

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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