# NTSB LAX02LA070: Cessna 172M, N5264R, Payson, AZ, January 26, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 26, 2002, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Payson, AZ - Coordinates: 34.26139, -111.34333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2614&lon=-111.3433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION - NTSB case key (mKey): 54091 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54091/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54091 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA070 ## Probable cause Failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane. A contributing factor was the premature raising of the flaps. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - directional control - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During an attempted go-around the airplane landed hard and came to rest inverted off the runway after the nose landing gear strut dug into the soft ground. On the landing flare, about 5-10 feet agl, a gust of wind moved the airplane from runway centerline. The pilot initiated a go-around, which included raising the flaps. He lowered the nose to a level flight attitude and noted a slight airspeed increase. The airplane simultaneously contacted the runway. After the airplane landed hard, it veered off the runway. The nose landing gear was sheared off and the airplane came to rest inverted. No mechanical anomalies were noted. ## Factual narrative On January 26, 2002, about 0930 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N5264R, veered off the runway and nosed over during landing at the Payson Airport, Payson, Arizona. The airplane, operated by AZ Cloud Busters Flying Club and rented by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured; a third passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that departed the Stellar Airpark Airport, Chandler, Arizona, about 0845. An automated weather observation system (AWOS) at the airport reported weather at the time of the accident as winds variable from 060 degrees to 140 degrees at 5-6 knots, gusting to 7 knots. In the pilot's written statement to the Safety Board, he stated that the approach was normal. The wind was calm. His approach speed was 60 knots, with 30 degrees of flaps selected. During the flare for touchdown, a "sudden" gust of wind from the south pushed the airplane off runway alignment by 5-10 feet. The pilot initiated a go-around, which included advancing the throttle to full power, and placing the carburetor heat control in the cold position. He stated that he also raised the flaps. He lowered the nose to a level flight attitude to gain airspeed and noted a slight increase in airspeed, but not enough to gain altitude. The pilot estimated that they were in the air about 10-15 seconds before the airplane contacted the runway. The Safety Board Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) interviewed the pilot. The pilot stated that he made a 45-degree entry for runway 24. The weather was clear and the winds were calm. The airplane veered off the runway, and the nose landing gear was sheared off. The airplane came to rest inverted after the nose landing gear strut dug into the ground. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical discrepancies noted with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5264R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5264R-2005-10-25), registration cancelled 2005-10-25, S/N 17263478, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - 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: 17263478 - Airframe hours: 10817 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-D2G 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: AZ Cloud Busters Flying Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 16, 2002, 160 hours before - Departed: P19, Chandler, AZ - Destination: PAN, Payson, AZ - Airport: PAN, Payson Airport, runway 24, 5,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 6, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 176 total, 79 in this make and model, 91 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: PAN ## 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 20020126001169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020126001169A), Jan 26, 2002: Cessna 172M, Payson, AZ, No damage. (.19) On January 26, 2002, about 0915 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172M, N5264R, veered off the runway and nosed over during landing at the Payson… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54091. 383 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 383 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40381334&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.