On November 4, 1983, a Cessna 172N (registration N739YL) was involved in an aviation accident near Elko, NV. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft on a deer spotting flight crashed in mountainous terrain. Found by air search the following day; impact attitude and asymmetric flap settings were noted. Propeller damage indicated engine power; post-mortem exams were impossible due to post-impact fire.
Accident Overview
An aircraft operating a deer spotting flight crashed in mountainous terrain. The accident was unwitnessed. Approximately eight hours after departure, the aircraft was declared missing. It was located the following day at about 0730 hours by an air search aircraft.
Impact Evidence
Ground scars indicated that the aircraft impacted the terrain in a 30-degree right-wing-down and 5-degree nose-up attitude. The terrain at the point of impact sloped upward at 30 degrees. The aircraft traveled approximately 64 feet after initial impact.
Aircraft Condition
Examination revealed that the flaps were extended asymmetrically: the right flap was 10 degrees down, while the left flap was 50 degrees down. The propeller exhibited damage consistent with the engine developing power at the time of impact. Continuity of the flight control cables was established. Post-mortem and toxicological examinations could not be performed due to a fire that occurred after impact.
What happened in the 4 Nov 1983 Cessna 172N accident near Elko, NV?
An aircraft on a deer spotting flight crashed in mountainous terrain. Found by air search the following day; impact attitude and asymmetric flap settings were noted. Propeller damage indicated engine power; post-mortem exams were impossible due to post-impact fire.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 4 Nov 1983 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N739YL, at Elko, NV.
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