# NTSB SEA94FA225: Cessna 172K, N79444, Laramie, WY, August 26, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: August 26, 1994, 17:10 local (23:10 UTC) - Place: Laramie, WY - Coordinates: 41.310615, -105.579124 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3106&lon=-105.5791&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 29, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94FA225 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41821/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94FA225 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM TERRAIN. DOWNDRAFT WIND ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGELINE WAS A FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) ## Analysis THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TERRAIN ABOUT 500 FEET BELOW RIDGELINE WHILE MANEUVERING IN A BOWL OR CANYON, DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO ROCK SPRINGS, WYOMING. SURFACE WINDS AT THE NEAREST REPORTING FACILITY WERE FIFTEEN KNOTS, APROXIMATELY PERPENDICULAR TO THE RIDGELINE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE RIDGELINE AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. POST-CRASH FIRE CONSUMED ABOUT 10 ACRES OF FOREST. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 26, 1994, approximately 1710 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172K, N79444, was destroyed by impact damage and post- crash fire while maneuvering below ridgeline in a canyon southwest of Laramie, Wyoming. The private pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. No flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from a private airstrip near Erie, Colorado, at about 1500, and was reported to be en route to Rock Springs, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The ELT was consumed by post-crash fire. The aircraft impacted the terrain in a steep mountainous area on the eastern face of the Medicine Bow mountain range, about 500 feet below ridgeline. Post-crash fire consumed about ten acres of forest. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot's log books and flight records were not recovered or located. No record of a biannual flight review was located. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The aircraft log books were not recovered or located. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Winds at the nearest reporting station were 230 degrees at 15 knots, approximately perpendicular to the ridgeline. The wreckage was located on the lee side of the ridgeline. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION A watch, which had stopped at 5:10, was found in the wreckage. The aircraft data plate was found in the burned wreckage. The aircraft was found near the bottom of a bowl, about 500 feet below a Hells Canyon ridgeline on the eastern face of the Medicine Bow mountain range south of Centennial. A ten acre forest fire was associated with the crash. The wreckage distribution path, which included several uprooted and topped trees, was on an approximate 150 degree magnetic heading, on a slope measured at 42 degrees. The first observed point of contact was a 100-120 foot tree, which had been topped, about 200 feet from the main wreckage. The first component between the tree and the main wreckage was the right wing tip. Other components, as indicated on the attached wreckage diagram, were located on both sides of a courseline between the tree and the main wreckage. A tree of about 20-24 inch diameter at the base had been toppled and was on a 150 degree line, parallel to the wreckage distribution path. The engine was extensively damaged and melted from fire damage. The accessory section was melted. The carburetor base was melted. The carburetor throat was inspected and the butterfly valve was found to be partially open. The right side cylinder heads were separated from the cylinder barrels. The propeller blades were bent aft in smooth arcs, and portions of their leading edges and tips showed evidence of melting. Two accessible spark plugs were removed and found to have light sooty deposits, with one having a worn center electrode. No mechanical discrepancies were noted. Control cable continuity was established through the tail cone. Aileron cables were separated due to apparent tensile overload. The wing flaps were determined to be in the retracted position. Throttle, propeller, and mixture control positions could not be determined. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION The Albany County coroner stated that an autopsy could not be conducted and toxicological samples were not available due to consumption of the pilot's remains by the extensive fire at the accident scene. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The wreckage was released to the pilot's daughter on August 31, 1994, and it was transported for storage at Beagle Aircraft, Greeley, Colorado by the insurance adjuster. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N79444](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79444-1995-04-24), registration cancelled 1995-04-24, S/N 17258093 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K - Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17258093 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Woods, John G. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: 48V, ERIE, CO - Destination: RKS, ROCK SPRINGS, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 640 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 15 knots - Visibility: 60 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: LAR ## 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 19940826023719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940826023719A), Aug 26, 1994: Cessna 172K, Laramie, WY, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck mountain 500 ft below ridge line. Lee side. Burned on impact. No anomalies found. Too low for conditions. ## Other investigations on N79444 (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 FTW76FRJ18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW76FRJ18), Mar 10, 1976: Cessna 172K (N79444), Hughes Springs, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB FTW71DPJ19](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW71DPJ19), Sep 29, 1970: Cessna 172 (N79444), Oklahoma Cty, OK, 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.