# NTSB WPR10CA320: Cessna 175, N9247B, Huntsville, UT, June 30, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 30, 2010, 11:52 local (17:52 UTC) - Place: Huntsville, UT - Coordinates: 41.396945, -111.685279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3969&lon=-111.6853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 4 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76494 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76494/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76494 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA320 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Cessna 175, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after takeoff he began a southbound climb until he felt that sufficient altitude had been gained to maintain terrain clearance followed by a turn to the north-northeast. He continued to climb as he followed a canyon reporting that he experienced light turbulence throughout the flight. As the pilot flew up the valley he elected to follow the northwestern side expecting to gain extra lift from the wind. The pilot reported that the airplane was climbing but as the valley narrowed, the airplane’s climb rate decreased and then the airplane began to descend. The pilot began to shift to the other side of the valley, which only increased the rate of descent. As the pilot attempted to maintain altitude, the airspeed began to decrease. As the airspeed continued to decrease the pilot verified that full power was still being applied. The stall warning horn periodically activated as the pilot attempted to avoid trees. The airplane collided with a tree and nosed over as the airplane impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after takeoff he began a southbound climb until he felt that sufficient altitude had been gained to maintain terrain clearance followed by a turn to the north-northeast. He continued to climb as he followed a canyon reporting that he experienced light turbulence throughout the flight. As the pilot flew up the valley he elected to follow the northwestern side expecting to gain extra lift from the wind. The pilot reported that the airplane was climbing but as the valley narrowed, the airplane’s climb rate decreased and then the airplane began to descend. The pilot began to shift to the other side of the valley, which only increased the rate of descent. As the pilot attempted to maintain altitude, the airspeed began to decrease. As the airspeed continued to decrease the pilot verified that full power was still being applied. The stall warning horn periodically activated as the pilot attempted to avoid trees. The airplane collided with a tree and nosed over as the airplane impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9247B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9247B-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 55047, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55047 - Airframe hours: 2692 - Engines: CONT MOTOR GO-300A 175 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Meek John C - Registered owner: Meek John C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2010, 19 hours before - Departed: 42U, Mt Green, UT - Destination: U68, Cowley, WY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; private, military, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 2,390 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,350 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.97 inHg - Observed at: KOGD, 20 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 20100630037529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100630037529A), Jun 30, 2010: Cessna 175, Huntsville, UT, Substantial damage. Flying NE over Huntsville, UT following a canyon valley towards bear lake still in climb following the nw side of valley, at approx 3 miles from crest the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 14, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76494. 599 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 599 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333019&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.