Cessna 172 N8437A

Summary

On 8 October 2010 at about 22:10 local time, a Cessna 172 registered N8437A was involved in an accident near Panguitch, Utah, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 October 2010 at 22:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Panguitch, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Panguitch Municipal Airport (U55)

Coordinates

38.0103, -112.1833

Aircraft

Cessna 172

Registration

N8437A

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bryce Canyon → Page

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11FA005

2 people died.

The pilot's decision to conduct a low-level flight into a canyon in windy conditions at a high density altitude, which resulted in a collision with trees and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The employer of the pilot and passenger reported to local authorities that they had not returned from a presumed elk-spotting flight for an upcoming hunting trip. The wreckage was subsequently located in a remote canyon area in rising mountainous terrain at an elevation of 9,600 feet. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, pilots flying in the area that afternoon noted that it was too windy to fly below the ridgeline and tree movement was visible; the sky was clear. The calculated density altitude for the area was 11,178 feet. Based on the final location and heading of the airplane, it is likely that the pilot may have attempted to maneuver at a low altitude in the canyon and was unable to maintain clearance from terrain in the windy conditions and high density altitude. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.