Cessna 175 accident near Huntsville, Utah, June 30, 2010
On June 30, 2010 at about 5:52 pm local time, a Cessna 175, registered N9247B, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Huntsville, Utah. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from terrain during climb.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2010 · about 5:52 pm local time
- Place
- Huntsville, Utah · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 175 · all 175s on the register
- Registration
- N9247B · no longer on the register · serial 55047
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that after takeoff he began a southbound climb until he felt that sufficient altitude had been gained to maintain terrain clearance followed by a turn to the north-northeast. He continued to climb as he followed a canyon reporting that he experienced light turbulence throughout the flight. As the pilot flew up the valley he elected to follow the northwestern side expecting to gain extra lift from the wind. The pilot reported that the airplane was climbing but as the valley narrowed, the airplane’s climb rate decreased and then the airplane began to descend. The pilot began to shift to the other side of the valley, which only increased the rate of descent. As the pilot attempted to maintain altitude, the airspeed began to decrease. As the airspeed continued to decrease the pilot verified that full power was still being applied. The stall warning horn periodically activated as the pilot attempted to avoid trees. The airplane collided with a tree and nosed over as the airplane impacted terrain resulting in substantial damage.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Response/compensation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, military, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,390 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 2,350 as pilot in command; 365 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,692 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 19, 2010; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Cont Motor GO-300A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 42U Mt Green UT at 5:35 pm
- Destination: U68 Cowley WY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KOGD, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
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.