Summary
On June 05, 2010, a Cessna 172H (N3948R) was involved in an accident near Bountiful, UT. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.
In a written statement, the pilot reported flying into a canyon at 6,100 feet with the intent to fly over it. During the ascent the airplane started to lose airspeed and altitude. The pilot attempted to turn around, however, could not because the airplane would stall due to an insufficient amount of airspeed. The pilot initiated a forced landing into trees at the bottom of a ravine; subsequently, the airplane received substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine at the time of the accident.
The calculated density altitude for the conditions at 6,100 feet, altimeter setting 30.14, and temperature of 22 Degrees Celsius, is 8,238 feet.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR10CA279. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N3948R.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from terrain. Contributing to the accident was the high density altitude.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
In a written statement, the pilot reported flying into a canyon at 6,100 feet with the intent to fly over it. During the ascent the airplane started to lose airspeed and altitude. The pilot attempted to turn around, however, could not because the airplane would stall due to an insufficient amount of airspeed. The pilot initiated a forced landing into trees at the bottom of a ravine; subsequently, the airplane received substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine at the time of the accident.
The calculated density altitude for the conditions at 6,100 feet, altimeter setting 30.14, and temperature of 22 Degrees Celsius, is 8,238 feet. The published maximum operating density altitude for the C-172H is 13,100 feet.
In a written statement, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by circling over a nearby city until enough altitude was acquired to fly over the canyon.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR10CA279