# NTSB LAX95LA221: Cessna 172, N5363T, Yerington, NV, June 23, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 23, 1995, 10:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Yerington, NV - Coordinates: 38.869632, -119.140541 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8696&lon=-119.1405&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29125 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29125/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA221 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO ENTER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO SAFELY ESCAPE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) ## Analysis WHILE FLYING WITH TWO PASSENGERS ABOARD, THE PILOT ENTERED A CANYON AREA AT THE 9,500 FOOT LEVEL, AND ENCOUNTERED A SEVERE DOWNDRAFT IN THE VICINITY OF A 11,320 FOOT MOUNTAIN. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TO THE CANYON FLOOR, AND THE PILOT PROCEEDED AS LONG AS POSSIBLE BEFORE BEING FORCED TO LAND. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 11,000 FEET. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS REPORTED. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN AT A HIGHER ALTITUDE AND SHOULD HAVE ENTERED THE TERRAIN AT A 45-DEGREE ANGLE FOR A BETTER ESCAPE ROUTE. ## Factual narrative On June 23,1995, at 1010 hours Pacific daylight time, the pilot of a Cessna 172, N5363T, experienced mountain wave activity in the vicinity of Mount Grant and collided with the terrain near Yerington, Nevada. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot and his two passengers were not injured. The aircraft departed from Yerington at 0733 hours for a local pleasure flight. According to the pilot, he was flying his passengers near an old mine to get some aerial photographs. During one of the passes, he experienced some mountain wave activity and couldn't fly the aircraft out of it. The aircraft collided with the rough terrain damaging the landing gear, both wings, and the left horizontal stabilator. After the accident, the pilot and the passengers hiked out of the area and reported the accident to the local sheriff. The elevation of Mount Grant is 11,320 feet. The pilot said he entered the canyon area at 9,500 feet. A severe downdraft brought them down into the canyon and they flew along the canyon floor as long as possible before they made a forced landing. The site elevation is at 8,500 feet. The pilot said the temperature was about 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The density altitude was approximately 11,000 feet. The pilot reported no mechanical problems. He also stated that he should have entered the mountainous terrain with more altitude and at a 45-degree angle for a better escape route. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5363T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5363T-2013-04-16), registration cancelled 2013-04-16, S/N 17251263, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1725-1263 - Airframe hours: 5630 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jesse N. Nish - Registered owner: Ag Air Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1995, 5 hours before - Departed: 043 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 464 total, 221 in this make and model, 295 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °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 19950623024719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950623024719A), Jun 23, 1995: Cessna 172E, Yerington, NV, Substantial damage. Flying low to photograph a mine got downdraft. Impacted rough terrain. Too low for safety. Density altitude factor. ## Other investigations on N5363T (2) 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. - [NTSB ATL99LA094](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL99LA094), May 20, 1999: Cessna 172E (N5363T), Millington, TN, substantial damage. Probable cause: Loss of engine power due to undetermined reasons. Factors were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice and the terrain condition at the forced landing site. - [NTSB OAK73DVD21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK73DVD21), Dec 10, 1972: Cessna 172 (N5363T), Livermore, CA, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.