# NTSB LAX79DUJ97: Cessna 172, N5770A, Tortilla Flats, AZ, July 28, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: July 28, 1979
- Place: Tortilla Flats, AZ · TORTILLA FLATS, AZ
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134197
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79DUJ97
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79DUJ97

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2473  79/7/28  NR.TORTILLA FLATS,AZ  CESSNA 172          CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 35, 452
        TIME - 1800                    N5770A              PX-  0  2  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MESA,AZ                     SPRINGERVILLE,AZ
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OIL EXHAUSTION-ENGINE LUBRICATION SYSTEM
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - ROUGH/UNEVEN
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5770A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5770A-1981-05-06), registration cancelled 1981-05-06, S/N 28370 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790728024469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790728024469A), Jul 28, 1979: Cessna 172, Tortilla Flats, AZ, Destroyed. Oil filler cap was loose. No oil found at wreck sight, although a hole was knocked in oil pan by impact forces.

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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