# NTSB LAX85LA405: Piper J3 C-65, N6566H, Grand Canyon, AZ, September 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1985, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.030784, -112.020484 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0308&lon=-112.0205&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): 24847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA405
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA405

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING PIERCE FERRY, AZ THE PLT AND HIS PASSENGER FLEW EAST, UP THE COLORADO RIVER, AT A LOW LEVEL TOWARDS KANAB POINT. THE PLT'S NOTES AND CHARTS SHOW THAT THE FLT WAS TO TURN NORTH FOR APRX 40 NM, WITH A REFUELING STOP AT KANAB, UT. THE BRIGHT YELLOW ACFT WAS LAST OBSERVED, BY HELICOPTER TOUR PLTS, LOW IN THE CANYON, HEADING EAST APRX 10 NMEAST OF KANAB POINT. A FLT PLAN WAS NOT FILED AND NO ONE WAS AWARE OF THE MISSING ACFT. THE PLT'S FAMILY NOTIFIED FAA PERSONNEL THE ACFT WAS MISSING FOUR DAYS AFTER IT'S FATAL FLT. AN UNSUCCESFUL AERIAL SEARCH WAS CONDUCTED. A MILITARY HELICOPTER LOCATED THE MISSING WRECKAGE IN A NARROW CANYON APRX 3 NM EAST OF THE POINT AT WHICH IT WAS LAST SEEN 13 DAYS AFTER IT CRASHED INTO THE CANYON WALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6566H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6566H-2013-08-07), registration cancelled 2013-08-07, S/N 19758, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER J3 C-65
- Registry model: [Piper J3C-65](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-j3c-65) (registry code 7100510) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19758
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Willard K. Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984
- Departed: PIERCE FERRY, AZ
- Destination: KANAB, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 163 total, 103 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19850917047089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850917047089A), Sep 17, 1985: Piper STCJ3, Grand Canyon, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into a Canyon and impacted the wall. Charts indicate he made an incorrect turn. Pilot had consumed alcohol.

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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