Cessna 172M accident near Bountiful, Utah, July 22, 2008
On July 22, 2008 at about 11:25 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N7672, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Bountiful, Utah (Skypark Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 22, 2008 · about 11:25 pm local time
- Place
- Bountiful, Utah · Skypark Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N7672 · no longer on the register · serial 17266357
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During takeoff initial climb at an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level, the climb performance of the airplane degraded along with a partial loss of engine power. The certified flight instructor (CFI) advanced the mixture to the full rich position, checked the carburetor heat, and verified that the throttle was full forward. The CFI then took control of the airplane from the student pilot, and initiated a forced landing into an open soft field. During the landing, the wheels of the airplane sunk into mud, and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the engine, fuel system, and airframe systems related to engine operation revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Wet/muddy › Contributed to outcome
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › (general) › Not specified
Flight instructor
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 925 hours in all; 800 in this make and model; 120 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 32 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: G&B Aircraft Management
The flight
- Departed from: KBTF Bountiful UT at 11:25 pm
- Destination: KBTF Bountiful UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 4,700 ft by 70 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from SLC, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.