Cessna 172 accident near Marysvale, Utah, May 10, 2026
On May 10, 2026 at about 6:14 pm local time, a 1956 Cessna 172, registered N6643A, was destroyed in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Marysvale, Utah (Draw On The West Side Of Mount airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering in mountainous terrain prior to encountering a downdraft.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 2026 · about 6:14 pm local time
- Place
- Marysvale, Utah · Draw On The West Side Of Mount · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172, built 1956 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N6643A · registry record · serial 28743
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while flying along the west side of Monroe Mountain about 1,000 ft above ground level, the airplane encountered a downdraft near a river drainage at the southern end of the valley. The pilot applied full engine power, maneuvered to avoid a tree near the right wingtip, and attempted to maintain airspeed. During the maneuver, the airplane collided with another tree that the pilot had not seen. The airplane subsequently impacted terrain and was consumed by a postimpact fire. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane 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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,600 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days; 2,600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 400 hours in all
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,130.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-B (piston); 3,130 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: RIF Richfield UT at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 7°F (-14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 11:52 am from MLF, 41 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KMLF 101752Z AUTO 02010G20KT 10SM CLR 24/M14 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP174 T02441139 10250 20028 56
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.