# Accident 20010922024769A: Cessna 172, Skullvalley, AZ, September 22, 2001

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 22, 2001, 08:30 local time
- Place: Skullvalley, AZ
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.5089° N, 112.6797° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5089&lon=-112.6797&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5792A, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5792A-2013-02-01) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172 (registry code 2072402, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX01LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA295) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010922024769A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(.19) ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2001, AT 0830 HOURS MOUNTAIN STANDARD TIME, A CESSNA 172, N5792A, OPERATED BY THE PILOT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING DEPARTURE FROM A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP AT SKULL VALLEY, ARIZONA. THE PRIVATE PILOT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND THE TWO PASSENGERS HAD NO INJURIES. VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED FOR THE PERSONAL FLIGHT OPERATING UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. THE ORIGINATING FLIGHT WAS DESTINED FOR BUCKEYE, ARIZONA. THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING DEPARTURE FROM RUNWAY 02 THE ENGINE LOST POWER, HE TURNED RIGHT TO CLEAR A HILL, AND CONTACTED A TREE WITH THE RIGHT WING. THE PRIVATE DIRT AIRSTRIP (QUARTER CIRCLE J) IS 2,900 FEET IN LENGTH AND 4,366 FEET MSL ELEVATION. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE IN THE LOW 70'S AND THE WIND WAS ESTIMATED AS 360 DEGREES AT 7 KNOTS. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE HAD 30 GALLONS OF FUEL REMAINING AT THE TIME OF DEPARTURE. ACCORDING TO WEIGHT AND BALANCE CALCULATIONS, THE AIRPLANE WAS 2,139 POUNDS AT DEPARTURE AND THE GROSS WEIGHT IS 2,200 POUNDS. (-23) PILOT WAS DEPARTING A TURF RUNWAY AT AN ELEVATION OF APPROXIMATELY 4366 FT MSL, WITH THREE INDIVIDUALS ONBOARD AND 32 GALLONS OF FUEL. (INDIVIDU     AL 1 (270 LBS) (INDIVIDUAL 2 (160 LBS) (INDIVIDUAL 3 (160 LBS). DEPARTURE RUNWAY GRADIENT WAS UPHILL DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT DID NOT GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND STRUCK SAME CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX01LA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA295), Sep 22, 2001: Cessna 172 (N5792A), Skull Valley, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: the loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons. A contributing factor was the lack of suitable terrain for the ensuing emergency landing.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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