# NTSB LAX84LA004: Cessna 172P, N65966, Virginia City, NV, October 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1983, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Virginia City, NV
- Coordinates: 39.300437, -119.660675 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3004&lon=-119.6607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - below, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN WHILE ON A PHOTOGRAPHIC FLT FOR NAT'L GEOGRAPHIC OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AROUND VIRGINIA CITY. A WITNESS SAID THE ACFT FLEW TOO LOW AND SLOW AND HIT THE UP-SLOPE TERRAIN WITH THE LEFT LANDING GEAR WHILE CIRCLING. THE ACFT NOSED OVER AND ENDED UP INVERTED. THE PILOT STATED ON THE FORM 6120.1 THAT SHE EXPERIENCED A POWER INTERRUPTION. HOWEVER, THE PILOT TOLD HER EMPLOYER THAT SHE WAS LOW AND SLOW ON THIS FLT AND THE EMPLOYER RELAYED THE INFORMATION TO THE INVESTIGATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N65966 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75935
- Airframe hours: 120
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Carson Tahoe Aviation
- Registered owner: Hale Bennett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 29, 1983, 19 hours before
- Departed: 004, CARSON CITY, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,885 total, 289 in this make and model, 4,439 as pilot in command, 230 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 13 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 19831006053839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831006053839A), Oct 6, 1983: Cessna 172P, Virginia City, NV, Substantial damage. Too low and slow during circling on a passenger photo mission. Aircraft struck rising terrain.

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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