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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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August 18, 1985 · Cessna 172P II · N54168

Cedar City, UT

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 1985
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Cedar City, UT
Aircraft
Cessna 172P II
Tail Number
N54168
Operator
Freedom Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
DEN85FA222

THE PLT TOOK THREE OF HIS FRIENDS UP FOR A PLEASURE FLT IN THE LOCAL AREA OF CEDAR CITY, UTAH. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PLT CONTINUED TO CLIMB HIS ACFT AS IT PASSED OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE FLT TERMINATED IN A BOX CANYON WITH HIGH TERRAIN ON ALL SIDES. THE ACFT IMPACTED THREES AND WAS DESTROYED IN A POST ACCIDENT FIRE. THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS.

Full Narrative

THE PLT TOOK THREE OF HIS FRIENDS UP FOR A PLEASURE FLT IN THE LOCAL AREA OF CEDAR CITY, UTAH. VMC PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE PLT CONTINUED TO CLIMB HIS ACFT AS IT PASSED OVER RISING TERRAIN. THE FLT TERMINATED IN A BOX CANYON WITH HIGH TERRAIN ON ALL SIDES. THE ACFT IMPACTED THREES AND WAS DESTROYED IN A POST ACCIDENT FIRE. THERE WERE NO SURVIVORS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:25 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P II
Tail NumberN54168
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFreedom Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 21 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind170° @ 8 kt
Visibility60 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point45 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time01:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data