# NTSB LAX82DA307: Cessna 172N, N733QE, Buckeye, AZ, August 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 17, 1982, 18:30 local (Aug 18, 1982, 01:30 UTC)
- Place: Buckeye, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.379154, -112.549865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3792&lon=-112.5499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70068
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA307
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70068/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA307

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ON A FLIGHT TO A PRIVATE DIRT STRIP. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO LAND, THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND HE DID NOT SEE A 3 FT HIGH MOUND OF DIRT NEAR THE THRESHOLD. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR HIT THE DIRT AND SHEARED FROM THE AIRCRAFT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A CONCRETE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733QE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733QE-2017-05-31), registration cancelled 2017-05-31, S/N 17268459, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268459
- Airframe hours: 2003
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flight Sales
- Registered owner: Flight Sales
- Departed: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Airport: Holly Airstrip, runway 27, 2,740 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 163 total, 21 in this make and model, 133 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 223 °F

## 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 19820817070069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820817070069A), Aug 17, 1982: Cessna 172N, Buckeye, AZ, Substantial damage. Left main gear was sheared off on impact with a dirt mound on short final for landing. Setting sun obscured obstacle

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.