# NTSB LAX87FA014: Cessna 177RG, N34213, Happy Jack, AZ, October 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1986, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Happy Jack, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.730606, -111.149955 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7306&lon=-111.1500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA014
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA014

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - motivation, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - expectancy, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PLT WAS INFORMED THAT MVFR WEATHER CONDITIONS EXISTED ALONG HIS PLANNED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE PLT TOOK OFF & HEADED INTO THE DETERIORATING WX. WHILE CRUISING BENEATH CLOUDS THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN. THE PLT REPORTEDLY WAS HAVING MARITAL PROBLEMS & SOUGHT CUSTODY OF HIS 22-MONTH OLD SON. THE PLT WAS HIGHLY MOTIVATED TO LEAVE TOWN. THE PLT WAS TRANSPORTING HIS SON IN THE ACFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34213](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34213-2012-09-12), registration cancelled 2012-09-12, S/N 177RG0984, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG0984
- Airframe hours: 1893
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Debra & Gene Hastings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 1986, 148 hours before
- Departed: PGA, PAGE, AZ
- Destination: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 500 total, 115 in this make and model, 456 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft broken
- Temperature: 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 27 nm away

## 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 19861011048659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861011048659A), Oct 11, 1986: Cessna 177RG, Happy Jack, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with heavily wooded and mountainous terrain while attempting to fly IFR in IFR conditions.

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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