# NTSB LAX85FA051: Cessna 172G, N3698L, Kingman, AZ, November 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1984, 08:20 local (16:20 UTC)
- Place: Kingman, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.240753, -113.75933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2408&lon=-113.7593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA051

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE FACE OF A SHEAR CLIFF ABOUT 30 FEET BELOW ITS CREST. IT IMPACTED WITH THE LEFT WING 15 DEGS DOWN AND WITH THE NOSE UP AT ABOUT 5 DEGS. IMPACT OCCURRED AT 3500 FT MSL. LOCAL AUTHORITIES INDICATED THAT THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT CONSISTED OF LOW CLOUDS AND EXTREMELY POOR GROUND VISIBILITY WITH RAIN. THE WX FORCAST INDICATED IMC WITH LOW CEILINGS & VISIBILITIES AND MOUNTAIN TOPS OBSCURED ALONG THE ROUTE. DURING A WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3698L (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17253867
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thurman E. Settle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: P16, MESA, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 55 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 45 °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 19841123065219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841123065219A), Nov 23, 1984: Cessna 172G, Kingman, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. VFR pilot flew into area of low ceiling and visibility, impacted side of mountain. VFR flight not recommend by fss.

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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