# NTSB SEA97LA157: Cessna 172M, N4395R, UT, July 1, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 1, 1997
- Place: UT
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA157
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA157

## Probable cause

Undetermined.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

On 7/01/97 a flying club official reported that during annual inspection a mechanic found that the firewall was structurally damaged.  The last annual was performed in June 1996.  The official stated that he does not know when, where, or who damaged the aircraft.  There are approximately 60 members in the flying club.  Injury index is presumed.

## Factual narrative

On an unknown date, time and location, a Cessna 172M, N4395R, registered to and operated by Hill Flying Club, was substantially damaged during an unknown flight operation.  The weather is unknown at the time of the accident, and it is unknown if a flight plan was filed.  The pilot, and if passengers were on board at the time is unknown.  It is presumed that there were no injuries.

On July 1, 1997, a flying club official reported to the National Transportation Safety Board, Northwest Regional Office, that during annual inspection, the mechanic found that the firewall was structurally damaged.  The last annual was performed in June of 1996.  The official stated that he does not know when, where, or who damaged the aircraft.  There are approximately 60 members in the flying club.

July 1, 1997, is listed in this report as the accident date for computer entry purposes only.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4395R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4395R-2019-10-10), registration cancelled 2019-10-10, S/N 17263145, 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: 17263145
- Airframe hours: 7569
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Hill Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1996
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; medical: unknown, unknown

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported

## 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 19970701045099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970701045099A), Jul 1, 1997: Cessna 172M, Substantial damage. During annual mechanics found firewall damage. Unknown when or where or who on board at time off occurance.

## Other investigations on N4395R (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 WPR18FA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18FA063), Dec 29, 2017: Cessna 172M (N4395R), Ogden, UT, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the water while flying over a lake with glassy surface conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's use of three impairing medications.

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.