N5399Q

Substantial
None

CESSNA 172MS/N: 17261784

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, August 13, 2011
NTSB Number
ERA11CA450
Location
Elkins, WV
Event ID
20110814X54118
Coordinates
38.889446, -79.856941
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
3
Total Aboard
3

Probable Cause and Findings

The flight instructor's unfamiliarity with the geographic area, resulting in controlled flight into terrain.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N5399Q
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17261784
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1973
Model / ICAO
172MC172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
WJB LLC
Address
3511 SILVERSIDE RD STE 105
Status
Deregistered
City
WILMINGTON
State / Zip Code
DE 19810-4902
Country
United States

Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) informed the student pilot to make a touch-and-go landing. During climb out, the CFI informed the student they would be conducting some mountain flying and to climb straight ahead over a ridge line. Upon clearing the ridge line, the CFI instructed the student to make a right turn into a canyon. After entering the canyon, the CFI realized he was in the wrong area and the airplane would be unable to clear the ridge line to their immediate front. He took control of the airplane and made a left turn towards the left side of the canyon. He then initiated a hard right turn and realized there was insufficient room to reverse course. He leveled the wings of the airplane and it collided with the trees. The airplane sustained structural damage and came to rest on the side of the ridge. The CFI stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane and he was unfamiliar with the geographic area.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA11CA450