# NTSB SEA07LA251: Cessna 172M, N8945V, Thompson, UT, September 5, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2007, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Thompson, UT
- Coordinates: 39.294723, -109.588333
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2947&lon=-109.5883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66611
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA251
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66611/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA251

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering in a box canyon.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon

## Analysis

According to the pilot, he and the passenger were spotting for elk.  He located some elk and maneuvered the airplane to put the elk on the passenger's side (right side) of the airplane.  This resulted in the airplane flying up a box canyon.  As the terrain rose, the pilot realized the airplane would not be able to climb over the ridge at the head of the canyon.  He turned to the left and attempted to exit the canyon; however, the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over.

## Factual narrative

On September 5, 2007, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8945V, impacted terrain while maneuvering about 20 nautical miles north northeast of Thompson, Utah.  The private pilot and the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

According to the pilot, he and the passenger were spotting for elk.  He located some elk and maneuvered the airplane to put the elk on the passenger's side (right side) of the airplane.  This resulted in the airplane flying up a box canyon.  As the terrain rose, the pilot realized the airplane would not be able to climb over the ridge at the head of the canyon.  He turned to the left and attempted to exit the canyon; however, the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8945V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8945V-2014-11-21), registration cancelled 2014-11-21, S/N 17264301, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264301
- Airframe hours: 4775
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007
- Departed: PUC, Price, UT
- Destination: PUC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 364 total, 260 in this make and model, 322 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 20070905017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070905017609A), Sep 5, 2007: Cessna 172M, Grand Junction, CO, Destroyed. (-23) The pilot was flying up a canyon looking at elk when he determined that the aircraft would not clear the ridge. Pilot attempted to turn around stalling…

## Other investigations on N8945V (1)

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 MKC79DCJ12](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79DCJ12), Mar 13, 1979: Cessna 172 (N8945V), Kearney, NE, 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.

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