LAX86FA328

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172L · Grand Canyon, AZ · August 24, 1986

Accident · FatalField investigationFinal report
Date
August 23, 1986, 20:45 local (Aug 24, 1986, 03:45 UTC)
Place
Grand Canyon, AZ
Injuries
2 fatal, 2 serious
Damage
Destroyed
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N7382QCessna 172L
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Status
Completed
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19860823044429A
Case key
24938

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightTakeoff - initial climb
Light condition - dark nightFactor
Spatial disorientationPilot in commandCause
Self-induced pressurePilot in commandFactor
In flight collision with objectDescent - uncontrolled
Object - tree(s)Factor
Terrain condition - mountainous/hillyFactor

Analysis

The acft crashed in a wooded area shortly after departing rwy 21 at Grand Canyon national park arpt (gcn). The plt had made a precautionary landing at gcn during the x-country flt to page, AZ, so he call a fss having been unable to establish contact in-flt. The plt called prescott fss who recommended the flt be delayed until morning. The plt stated he had a reservation and would lose $100.00 if he didn't get to page 'even though it's dangerous'. The plt then elected to go after speaking with another plt who stated wx at page was fine. The plt reported takeoff was normal but asthe acft traveled down the rwy it seemed to stop climbing. He then lost all outside visual reference and attempted to keep the wings level while maintaining airspeed. The plt does not recall the acft contacting trees. Local plts reported that on moonless nights a plt has to fly instruments to maintain control of the acft during departures on rwy 21 because of the lack of visual references. It was described as 'flying into a black hole'.

Aircraft

Registration
N7382Q
Reported as
Cessna 172L
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17260583
Airframe hours
1,502
Engine
Lycoming O-320-E2D, 150 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Destroyed
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Registered owner
Donald L. Truex
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 8, 1986 · 32 hours before
Departed
GCN · Grand Canyon, AZ
Destination
PGA · Page, AZ
Airport
GCN · Grand Canyon, runway 21, 8,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
34
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Toxicology
Performed
Flight hours
489 total · 390 in this make and model · 440 as pilot in command · 9 in the last 90 days · 4 in the last 30 days · 4 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
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.