# NTSB WPR21LA308: Cessna 172, N5735R, Reno, NV, August 9, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: August 9, 2021, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.429325, -119.66219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4293&lon=-119.6622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103661 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA308 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103661/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103661 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA308 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft, which resulted in a forced landing and collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172G, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072420), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while climbing toward mountainous terrain and approaching a ridgeline, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The airplane was unable to outclimb the terrain, and too low to turn around, so the pilot elected to perform a forced landing to desert terrain. The airplane struck the ground, nosed over, and came to rest inverted substantially damaging the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated that he could have avoided the accident if he approached the terrain at a higher altitude. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5735R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5735R), registered now, S/N 17253404, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (G) - Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253404 - Year built: 1965 - Engines: Continental O-300 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Davis Richard B - Registered owner: Davis Richard B - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, July 7, 2021, 6 hours before - Departed: KRNO, Reno, NV - Destination: O43, Yerrington, NV - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2020; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,200 total, 400 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft overcast - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.08 inHg - Observed at: KRNO, 6 nm away - METAR: SPECI KRNO 091900Z VRB03KT 3SM FU OVC032 27/01 A3008 RMK AO2 FU OVC032 T02720011= ## 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 20210809013569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210809013569A), Aug 9, 2021: Cessna 172G, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. When transitioning the mountains south east of Reno on a VFR flight, the pilot stated that he realized that the performance of his aircraft was inadequate to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103661. 845 KB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 687 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12789110&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=r_6120%20fax%202_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12789497&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-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.