# NTSB WPR26LA180: Cessna 172, N6643A, Marysvale, UT, May 10, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 10, 2026, 12:14 local (18:14 UTC) - Place: Marysvale, UT - Coordinates: 38.500384, -112.14264 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5004&lon=-112.1426&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 202970 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA180 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202970/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA180 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft. ## 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 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=2072402), [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; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072402), [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 (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072402), [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. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while flying along the west side of Monroe Mountain about 1,000 ft above ground level, the airplane encountered a downdraft near a river drainage at the southern end of the valley. The pilot applied full engine power, maneuvered to avoid a tree near the right wingtip, and attempted to maintain airspeed. During the maneuver, the airplane collided with another tree that the pilot had not seen. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and was consumed by a postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6643A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6643A), registered now, S/N 28743, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28743 - Year built: 1956 - Airframe hours: 1130.3 - Engines: Continental O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2025 - Departed: RIF, Richfield, UT - Airport: None, Draw on the west side of mountains - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 87; injuries: serious; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,600 total, 3 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Pilot-rated passenger; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 400 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 10 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 7 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: MLF, 41 nm away - METAR: METAR KMLF 101752Z AUTO 02010G20KT 10SM CLR 24/M14 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP174 T02441139 10250 20028 56 ## 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 20260510006639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260510006639A), May 10, 2026: Cessna 172, Richfield, UT, Destroyed. This was personal flight in mountainous terrain near the monroe mountain. The aircraft was approximately 1000 feet AGL. Over the descending terrain. The… 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.