# NTSB LAX85LA124: Cessna 172N, N4852G, Grand Canyon, AZ, January 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1985, 13:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029651, -112.01966 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0297&lon=-112.0197&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24643
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24643/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA124

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - icy (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - snowbank (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE 50 YEAR OLD PRIVATE PILOT, WITH A TOTAL OF 158 FLIGHT HOURS, SAID THE LANDING WAS MADE ON THE RIGHT HALF OF THE 150 FT WIDE RWY. AS HE ATTEMPTED TO STEER TO THE MIDDLE OF THE RWY THE ACFT SKIDDED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY AND CONTACTED A SNOW BANK APRX 3000 FT FROM THE APCH END OC THE RWY. A WEATHER OBSERVATION TAKEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT RECORDED WIND FROM 190 DEGS AT 13 KTS. THE PLT REPORTED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS OF THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4852G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4852G), registered now, S/N 17273399, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273399
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Star Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 158 total, 158 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GCN

## 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 19850128027259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850128027259A), Jan 28, 1985: Cessna 172N, Grand Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed on right half of icy runway. Over corrected and skidded off left side of runway, struck a snowbank.

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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