# NTSB LAX86FA089: Cessna 172N, N2113E, Grand Canyon, AZ, January 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 8, 1986, 19:47 local (Jan 9, 1986, 02:47 UTC)
- Place: Grand Canyon, AZ
- Coordinates: 36.029106, -112.019599 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0291&lon=-112.0196&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT DEPTD RUNWAY 03 AT GRAND CANYON AIRPORT, GRAND CANYON, AZ ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO A LEFT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED INTO SOME TREES IN ABOUT A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN AND ABOUT A 15 DEG LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE AREA NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT IS UNLIT AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE HORIZON. THE PLT DID NOT HOLD AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST IMPACT FIRE. A FLT INSTRUCTOR REPTD THAT HE OBSERVED THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND THAT THE CHECK OUT FLT WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT THE PLT HAD LOGGED WITHIN THE PRECEDING YEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2113E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2113E-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 17271160, built 1978 (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: 17271160
- Airframe hours: 1427
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Walker, doing business as K & M Aviation
- Registered owner: Oran A. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1985, 32 hours before
- Destination: L15, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: GCN, Grand Canyon, runway 3, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19860108002129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860108002129A), Jan 8, 1986: Cessna 172N, Grand Canyon, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost ground reference after uphill takeoff on dark night. Impacted ground and burned in remote mountainous area.

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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