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NTSB Report
January 9, 1986 · Cessna 172N · N2113E
Grand Canyon, AZ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Grand Canyon, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N2113E
Operator
William Walker
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA089
THE ACFT DEPTD RUNWAY 03 AT GRAND CANYON AIRPORT, GRAND CANYON, AZ ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO A LEFT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED INTO SOME TREES IN ABOUT A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN AND ABOUT A 15 DEG LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE AREA NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT IS UNLIT AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE HORIZON. THE PLT DID NOT HOLD AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST IMPACT FIRE. A FLT INSTRUCTOR REPTD THAT HE OBSERVED THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND THAT THE CHECK OUT FLT WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT THE PLT HAD LOGGED WITHIN THE PRECEDING YEAR.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT DEPTD RUNWAY 03 AT GRAND CANYON AIRPORT, GRAND CANYON, AZ ON A MOONLESS NIGHT. SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO A LEFT TURN. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED INTO SOME TREES IN ABOUT A 45 DEG NOSE DOWN AND ABOUT A 15 DEG LEFT WING DOWN ATTITUDE ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE AIRPORT. THERE WERE NO WITNESSES. THE AREA NORTHWEST OF THE ARPT IS UNLIT AND THERE WAS NO VISIBLE HORIZON. THE PLT DID NOT HOLD AN INSTRUMENT RATING. THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK WAS DESTROYED IN THE POST IMPACT FIRE. A FLT INSTRUCTOR REPTD THAT HE OBSERVED THE PILOT'S LOGBOOK ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND THAT THE CHECK OUT FLT WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT THE PLT HAD LOGGED WITHIN THE PRECEDING YEAR.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:47 MST
Nearest AirportGrand Canyon (1nm NNW)
Runway3
Runway Length8999 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN2113E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam Walker
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 34 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT