# NTSB LAX78DUJ44: Cessna 172, N9468H, Kayenta, AZ, April 4, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: April 4, 1978
- Place: Kayenta, AZ · KAYENTA, AZ
- Location: 36.7173° N, 110.2604° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Kayenta, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7173&lon=-110.2604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 142669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX78DUJ44
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78DUJ44

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0578   78/4/4    KAYENTA,AZ          CESSNA 172          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 30, 672
        TIME - 1405                    N9468H              PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 668 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - KAYENTA,AZ
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KAYENTA,AZ                  TUBA CITY,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PREMATURE LIFT-OFF
           WEATHER - UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  RELATIVE BEARING OF WIND
          NONE                                                     LEFT QUARTERING HEAD WIND 293-337 DEGREES
        TEMPERATURE-F                                            WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES
           60                                                      150
        WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS                                      TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
           15                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS.CHANGABLE WIND DIRECTION.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9468H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9468H), registered now, S/N 17266169, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- 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
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Kayenta,Az

## 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 19780404006979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780404006979A), Apr 4, 1978: Cessna 172M, Kayenta, AZ, Substantial damage. Gusts to 25 knots. Changable wind direction.

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.

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