Event WPR10CA279

Factual narrative

In a written statement, the pilot reported flying into a canyon at 6,100 feet with the intent to fly over it. During the ascent the airplane started to lose airspeed and altitude. The pilot attempted to turn around, however, could not because the airplane would stall due to an insufficient amount of airspeed. The pilot initiated a forced landing into trees at the bottom of a ravine; subsequently, the airplane received substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine at the time of the accident. The calculated density altitude for the conditions at 6,100 feet, altimeter setting 30.14, and temperature of 22 Degrees Celsius, is 8,238 feet. The published maximum operating density altitude for the C-172H is 13,100 feet. In a written statement, the pilot stated that the accident could have been prevented by circling over a nearby city until enough altitude was acquired to fly over the canyon. The pilot reported that she was flying into a canyon at 6,100 feet with the intent to climb through it and over the surrounding terrain. During the ascent the airplane started to lose airspeed and altitude. She attempted to turn around, but she felt that the airplane would stall due to an insufficient amount of airspeed and she abandoned the attempt. The pilot initiated a forced landing into trees at the bottom of a ravine and the airplane received substantial damage to the wings, fuselage and empennage. The calculated density altitude for the existing atmospheric conditions was 8,238 feet. The published maximum operating altitude for the airplane is 13,100 feet. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine at the time of the accident. The pilot stated the accident could have been prevented by acquiring enough altitude prior to entering the canyon. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
• C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
• F Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Effect on equipment - F