# NTSB SEA92FA109: Cessna 172L, N3988Q, Colburn, ID, May 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1992, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Colburn, ID
- Location: 48.3971° N, 116.5352° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Colburn, ID, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.3971&lon=-116.5352&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41579
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92FA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41579/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92FA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED, FAILED TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE IN A BOX CANYON, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED. FACTORS RELATING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE NARROW BOX CANYON, THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE, AND THE LACK OF MOUNTAIN FLYING EXPERIENCE BY THE PIC.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - became lost/disoriented, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A BOX CANYON IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.  HE ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE COURSE AT THE TOP OF THE NARROW CANYON AT A LOW ALTITUDE AND SLOW AIRSPEED, AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT 4400 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3988Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3988Q-2012-11-14), registration cancelled 2012-11-14, S/N 17260088, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260088
- Airframe hours: 2899
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harkins, Timber J.
- Registered owner: Carr, Chet D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 1992, 72 hours before
- Departed: 57S, TROY, MT
- Destination: 57S

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 16 in this make and model, 47 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Observed at: 57S, 10 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 19920524043069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920524043069A), May 24, 1992: Cessna 172L, Colburn, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into box canyon at low altitude. Unable to clear rising terrain. Tried to turn around and struck trees.

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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