# NTSB GAA17CA318: Cessna 172, N50526, Payson, AZ, June 4, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 4, 2017, 10:24 local (17:24 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.266944, -111.366943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2669&lon=-111.3669&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95297 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA318 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95297/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95297 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA318 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate preflight planning that did not account for high-density altitude conditions and his subsequent attempted go-around in conditions that prevented the airplane from attaining a positive climb rate and resulted in its subsequent descent and impact with rising terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 123 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: performance calculations](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172M, 100 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072418), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during an approach to runway 22, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. He initiated a go-around by turning off the carburetor heat, applying full throttle, decreasing the flaps from 30° to 20°, and pushing forward on the yoke to increase airspeed; the airplane then began to settle into ground effect. The pilot saw that the terrain began to rise, and he recalled that the noise abatement procedure called for a right turn to 270°, so he turned to the right before establishing a climb. The airplane descended into rising terrain, struck trees, and impacted the ground and became engulfed in flames. The postcrash fire destroyed the fuselage. The METAR reported that the wind was variable at 4 knots and that the temperature was 84°F. The field elevation was 5,504 ft, and the altimeter setting was 30.14 inches of mercury. The density altitude was 8,255 ft. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by reviewing the airplane's performance data and atmospheric conditions, especially density altitude and its effect on performance per the manufacturer's Pilot's Operating Handbook. The pilot stated that he would place greater emphasis on performance planning as an essential activity during flight planning. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during an approach to runway 22, the airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline. He initiated a go-around by turning off the carburetor heat, he applied full throttle, he increased the flaps from 30° to 20°, and he pushed forward on the yoke to increase airspeed. He noticed that the airplane began to settle into ground effect. He saw that the terrain began to rise and he recalled that the noise abatement procedure called for a right turn to 270°, so the pilot turned to the right before establishing a climb. The airplane descended into rising terrain, struck trees and impacted the ground and became engulfed in flames. The post-crash fire destroyed the airplane's fuselage. The METAR reported that the wind was variable at 4 kts. and the temperature was 84° Fahrenheit. The field elevation was 5,504 ft. and the altimeter setting was 30.14. The density altitude was 8,255 ft. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by reviewing the airplane's performance data and atmospheric conditions, especially density altitude and its effect on performance per the manufacturer pilot operating handbook. In the future, the pilot vowed to place greater emphasis on performance planning as an essential activity during flight planning. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50526](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50526-2018-04-23), registration cancelled 2018-04-23, S/N 17264211, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (M) - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17264211 - Year built: 1974 - Airframe hours: 5320.6 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Classic Air Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Classic Air Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 17, 2017 - Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ - Destination: PAN, Payson, AZ - Airport: PAN, Payson, runway 24, 5,504 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2017; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 92 total, 92 in this make and model, 25 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KPAN, 2 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20170604009459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170604009459A), Jun 4, 2017: Cessna 172M, Payson, AZ, Destroyed. While conducting a personal flight from ffz to pan with one passenger, pilot began approach to pan. Pilot planned on full stop at pan. Da at time was… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95297. 6.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456969&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Density Altitude (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456971&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Density%20Altitude-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456973&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.