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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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December 15, 1986 · Cessna 172K · N736XP

El Reno, OK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 15, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
El Reno, OK
Aircraft
Cessna 172K
Tail Number
N736XP
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87FA031

PRIVATE PILOT OF CESSNA 172K ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT IN IFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTACTED OKC APPROACH CONTROL AND REQUESTED SPECIAL VFR APPROACH DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS. APPROACH DENIED SPECIAL VFR DUE TO LACK OF INSTRUMENT QUALIFICATION OF PILOT. PILOT WAS ISSUED RADAR VECTORS FOR LANDING AT NEARBY AIRPORT. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY BENEATH LOW CEILING IN FOG AND ALLOWED AIRCRAFT TO CONTACT TERRAIN. PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER FATALLY INJURED. SECOND PASSENGER SERIOUSLY INJURED. AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 150 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME.

Full Narrative

PRIVATE PILOT OF CESSNA 172K ATTEMPTED VFR FLIGHT IN IFR FLIGHT CONDITIONS. CONTACTED OKC APPROACH CONTROL AND REQUESTED SPECIAL VFR APPROACH DURING HOURS OF DARKNESS. APPROACH DENIED SPECIAL VFR DUE TO LACK OF INSTRUMENT QUALIFICATION OF PILOT. PILOT WAS ISSUED RADAR VECTORS FOR LANDING AT NEARBY AIRPORT. PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY BENEATH LOW CEILING IN FOG AND ALLOWED AIRCRAFT TO CONTACT TERRAIN. PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER FATALLY INJURED. SECOND PASSENGER SERIOUSLY INJURED. AIRCRAFT DESTROYED. PILOT HAD APPROXIMATELY 150 HOURS OF FLIGHT TIME.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:00 CST
Nearest AirportPAGE (3nm W)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172K
Tail NumberN736XP
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-K · Reciprocating · 195
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind180° @ 11 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 300 ft
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data