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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

August 24, 1986 · Cessna 172L · N7382Q

Grand Canyon, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 24, 1986
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 172L
Tail Number
N7382Q
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA328

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING RWY 21 AT GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK ARPT (GCN). THE PLT HAD MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT GCN DURING THE X-COUNTRY FLT TO PAGE, AZ, SO HE CALL A FSS HAVING BEEN UNABLE TO ESTABLISH CONTACT IN-FLT. THE PLT CALLED PRESCOTT FSS WHO RECOMMENDED THE FLT BE DELAYED UNTIL MORNING. THE PLT STATED HE HAD A RESERVATION AND WOULD LOSE $100.00 IF HE DIDN'T GET TO PAGE 'EVEN THOUGH IT'S DANGEROUS'. THE PLT THEN ELECTED TO GO AFTER SPEAKING WITH ANOTHER PLT WHO STATED WX AT PAGE WAS FINE. THE PLT REPORTED TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL BUT ASTHE ACFT TRAVELED DOWN THE RWY IT SEEMED TO STOP CLIMBING. HE THEN LOST ALL OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCE AND ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE WINGS LEVEL WHILE MAINTAINING AIRSPEED. THE PLT DOES NOT RECALL THE ACFT CONTACTING TREES. LOCAL PLTS REPORTED THAT ON MOONLESS NIGHTS A PLT HAS TO FLY INSTRUMENTS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING DEPARTURES ON RWY 21 BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISUAL REFERENCES. IT WAS DESCRIBED AS 'FLYING INTO A BLACK HOLE'.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTING RWY 21 AT GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK ARPT (GCN). THE PLT HAD MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING AT GCN DURING THE X-COUNTRY FLT TO PAGE, AZ, SO HE CALL A FSS HAVING BEEN UNABLE TO ESTABLISH CONTACT IN-FLT. THE PLT CALLED PRESCOTT FSS WHO RECOMMENDED THE FLT BE DELAYED UNTIL MORNING. THE PLT STATED HE HAD A RESERVATION AND WOULD LOSE $100.00 IF HE DIDN'T GET TO PAGE 'EVEN THOUGH IT'S DANGEROUS'. THE PLT THEN ELECTED TO GO AFTER SPEAKING WITH ANOTHER PLT WHO STATED WX AT PAGE WAS FINE. THE PLT REPORTED TAKEOFF WAS NORMAL BUT ASTHE ACFT TRAVELED DOWN THE RWY IT SEEMED TO STOP CLIMBING. HE THEN LOST ALL OUTSIDE VISUAL REFERENCE AND ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE WINGS LEVEL WHILE MAINTAINING AIRSPEED. THE PLT DOES NOT RECALL THE ACFT CONTACTING TREES. LOCAL PLTS REPORTED THAT ON MOONLESS NIGHTS A PLT HAS TO FLY INSTRUMENTS TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING DEPARTURES ON RWY 21 BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISUAL REFERENCES. IT WAS DESCRIBED AS 'FLYING INTO A BLACK HOLE'.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time20:45 MST
Nearest AirportGrand Canyon (1nm S)
Runway21
Runway Length8999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172L
Tail NumberN7382Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (2 fatalities, 2 serious injuries)
Fatal2
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time04:15
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data