# Accident 20260221001639A: Cessna 177B, Rocky Junction, AZ, February 21, 2026

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 21, 2026, 22:03 local time
- Place: Rocky Junction, AZ
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5395° N, 110.3066° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5395&lon=-110.3066&mi=10
- Aircraft: N12984, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12984) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 177B (registry code 2073708, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 series (registry code 41514, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 3,225 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC26LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA016) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260221001639A

## Narrative

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

ON FEBRUARY 21, 2026, A CESSNA 177, WITH A PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER ONBOARD, DEPARTED PAYSON AIRPORT ON A VFR CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, ENGINE START, TAXI, AND PRETAKEOFF CHECKS WERE REPORTED AS NORMAL, WITH ALL ENGINE INDICATIONS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS.

APPROXIMATELY 10–15 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THE ENGINE INITIALLY PRODUCED PARTIAL POWER BEFORE LOSING ALL POWER. THE PILOT REPORTED HEARING INTERMITTENT BACKFIRING SOUNDS. THE PILOT INITIATED EMERGENCY ENGINE-OUT PROCEDURES; HOWEVER, NO ACTION RESTORED ENGINE POWER. THE ONLY ABNORMAL ENGINE INDICATION OBSERVED WAS THE NUMBER 3 CYLINDER TEMPERATURE, WHICH WAS APPROXIMATELY 460°F.

WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE TO REACH AN AIRPORT AND LIMITED SUITABLE LANDING AREAS AVAILABLE, THE PILOT SELECTED A RELATIVELY FLAT AREA WITH FEWER TREES. THE PILOT CONFIGURED THE AIRCRAFT WITH FULL FLAPS, MAINTAINED MINIMUM CONTROLLABLE AIRSPEED ABOVE STALL, AND EXECUTED AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING.

UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRCRAFT AND REPORTED MINOR INJURIES.

ENGINE TEAR DOWN WILL BE SCHEDULED ASAP.  THIS NARATIVE WILL BE UPDATED THEN WITH ANY ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL. CAUSES.

## 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 ANC26LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC26LA016), Feb 22, 2026: Cessna 177B (N12984), Rocky Junction, AZ, substantial damage, investigation ongoing

## Other reports on N12984 (1)

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

- [Incident 19810726061359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810726061359I), Jul 26, 1981: Cessna 177B (N12984), West Bend, WI, Minor damage. Za exhausted fuel supply. Engine quit. Made 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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