# Accident 20020823023259A: Cessna 172N, Mesa, AZ, August 23, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 23, 2002, 09:40 local time
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Airport: Falcon Field Airport
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.4500° N, 111.7167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4500&lon=-111.7167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N4796E, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4796E-2018-01-24) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172N (registry code 2072434, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA259) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020823023259A

## Narrative

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

(-23) ON TAKE OFF FROM FALCON FIELD IN MESA, AZ, AT ABOUT 100 FEET INTO TH E CLIMB, THE STUDENT PILOT YELLED FIRE. THE INSTRUCTOR STARTED SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES OF THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS AND PROCEEDED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT SKIDDED FOR APPROX 470 FEET AND THEN DEPARTED THE RUNWAY AND SLID FOR ANOTHER 400 FEET. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT STOPPED THE PILOTS SAW A SMALL FLAME JET OUT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE PILOTS DEPARTED THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. DURING THE SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES THE INSTRUCTOR NOTICED THAT THE LANDING LIGHT CIRCUIT BREAKER WAS POPPED AND THAT THE SWITCH WAS FROZEN IN THE ON POSITION.

## 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 LAX02FA259](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02FA259), Aug 23, 2002: Cessna 172N (N4796E), Mesa, AZ, destroyed. Probable cause: An electrical fire of unknown origin centered near the circuit breaker/throttle area of the instrument panel.

## Other reports on N4796E (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20010715019359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010715019359I), Jul 15, 2001: Cessna 172N (N4796E), Tucson, AZ, Minor damage. (-23) Pilot stated that just as he rotated for takeoff a "gust" hit the plane and it began drifting off of center line. Pilot was unable to maintain directonal…

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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