Summary
On September 05, 2007, a Cessna 172M (N8945V) was involved in an incident near Thompson, UT. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering in a box canyon.
On September 5, 2007, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8945V, impacted terrain while maneuvering about 20 nautical miles north northeast of Thompson, Utah. The private pilot and the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, he and the passenger were spotting for elk. He located some elk and maneuvered the airplane to put the elk on the passenger's side (right side) of the airplane. This resulted in the airplane flying up a box canyon.
This incident is documented in NTSB report SEA07LA251. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N8945V.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering in a box canyon.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 5, 2007, about 0830 mountain daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N8945V, impacted terrain while maneuvering about 20 nautical miles north northeast of Thompson, Utah. The private pilot and the passenger received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The airplane was being operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
According to the pilot, he and the passenger were spotting for elk. He located some elk and maneuvered the airplane to put the elk on the passenger's side (right side) of the airplane. This resulted in the airplane flying up a box canyon. As the terrain rose, the pilot realized the airplane would not be able to climb over the ridge at the head of the canyon. He turned to the left and attempted to exit the canyon; however, the airplane impacted the terrain and nosed over.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# SEA07LA251