# NTSB WPR20LA330: Cessna 172, N52700, Stanley, ID, September 13, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 13, 2020, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Stanley, ID - Coordinates: 44.888611, -116.10166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8886&lon=-116.1017&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 102111 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102111/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102111 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20LA330 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance after flying into the wrong canyon in mountainous terrain which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 20 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072436), [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. - [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while climbing at 500 ft per minute, over mountainous terrain, he made a right turn into the wrong canyon from the flight the day before. Realizing his mistake, and unable to make a course reversal, the terrain was rising faster than the airplane could climb. He attempted a left-hand turn to try for lower terrain, however the airplane stalled and entered a spin. The pilot regained control and put the airplane in level flight just before colliding with trees. Both wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52700](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52700), registered now, S/N 17274583 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (P) - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17274583 - Year built: 1981 - Airframe hours: 3794 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2020, 12 hours before - Departed: 2U8, Stanley, ID - Destination: KLLJ, Challis, ID - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2020; seat: left; flight hours: 637.7 total, 587.1 as pilot in command, 18.2 in the last 90 days, 5.4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20200913012019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200913012019A), Sep 13, 2020: Cessna 172P, Stanley, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from thomas creek airstrip at APPROXIMATELY1030. He flew into a canyon with rising terrain due to obstructed visibility from forest fire smoke.… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 10, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102111. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12563243&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA330%20Pilot%20Report%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo airplane damage (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12563515&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR20LA330%20Damage%20Photo%20N52700_Redacted-Rel.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.