Cessna 172K accident near Ephraim, Utah, February 24, 2023
On February 24, 2023 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 1969 Cessna 172K, registered N84717, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Ephraim, Utah (Manti-Ephriam airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s improper landing flare and loss of directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 24, 2023 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Ephraim, Utah · Manti-Ephriam · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K, built 1969 · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N84717 · registry record · serial 17256513
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The solo student pilot reported that, during landing, he “rounded out a little too late” and the airplane bounced after touchdown. The airplane settled back to the runway, left of the centerline, and veered to the left. The student attempted to correct with right rudder, and full engine power to abort the landing, however, the airplane continued to the left side of the runway and collided with a snowbank. The airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The right wing, vertical stabilizer, and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Landing flare › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Student/instructed pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 73.6 hours in all; 73.6 in this make and model; 20.6 in the last 90 days; 13.1 in the last 30 days; 8.6 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8,801 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, February 10, 2023; 21 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A4M (piston); 8,801 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KPVU Provo UT at 6:10 pm
- Destination: 41U Ephriam UT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 5,021 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 3010.00 inHg
- Observation at 12:00 pm from 41U
Weather report (METAR): METAR K41U 241915Z AUTO 36004KT 10SM CLR M03/M07 A3009 RMK AO1 T10261074=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 23, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.