# NTSB SEA94LA113: Cessna 172N, N739CW, Monarch, MT, April 30, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 30, 1994, 17:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Monarch, MT - Coordinates: 46.980129, -110.850326 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9801&lon=-110.8503&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 3 minor - Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 41919 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41919/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA113 ## Probable cause POOR IN FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS DOWNDRAFTS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis WHILE FLYING LOW IN A VALLEY SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED A DOWN DRAFT AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. THE PILOT APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TREES. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 1994, at 1700 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739CW, collided with trees while maneuvering low in a valley near Monarch, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial pilot and his two passengers received minor injuries. The flight had departed from Great Falls, Montana, on April 30, 1994, at 1630, as a pleasure flight. During a telephone interview the pilot reported that he was flying the airplane approximately 50 feet above ground level, in a valley that was surrounded by mountains. The pilot stated that the airplane encountered a down draft and was forced down into the trees. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane prior to the collision. In the pilot's written statement, he stated that the airplane was at cruise airspeed and 500 feet above ground level when the airplane started to sink rapidly. The pilot applied full power and pitched the nose of the airplane up to attain the best angle of climb. The airplane continued to sink until the collision with the trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739CW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739CW-1996-05-16), registration cancelled 1996-05-16, S/N 17270446 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270446 - Airframe hours: 1988 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Holman Aviation - Registered owner: Ventures - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 28, 1994, 4 hours before - Departed: GTF, GREAT FALLS, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 320 in this make and model, 717 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 62 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °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 19940430009689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940430009689A), Apr 30, 1994: Cessna 172N, Monarch, MT, Substantial damage. Flying low over trees in a valley. Downdraft forced aircraft into the trees. ## Other investigations on N739CW (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 SEA78DTA22](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA78DTA22), Sep 7, 1978: Cessna 172 (N739CW), Red Lodge, MT, 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.