# NTSB LAX83LA063: Cessna 172RG, N5262U, Sedona, AZ, January 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1982, 20:05 local (Jan 1, 1983, 03:05 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939083, -111.939025 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9391&lon=-111.9390&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 31, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - pitot/static system - blocked(total) (contributing factor)
  - flight/nav instruments,airspeed indicator - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

WHILE ENROUTE, THE PLT NOTICED THAT HE HAD LOST HIS AIRSPEED INDICATION. OBSERVING THE PITOT HEAD ON THE WING WITH A FLASHLIGHT, HE STATED THAT THE FLIP-UP COVER WAS DOWN, COVERING THE RAM TUBE. UNABLE TO MAINTAIN PROPER AIRSPEED, THE PLT INADVERTENTLY ACHIEVED AN EXCESSIVE RATE OF SINK, IMPACTING A STEEP SLOPE AT THE APPROACH END OF THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5262U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5262U-1983-12-05), registration cancelled 1983-12-05, S/N 172RG0309 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0309
- Airframe hours: 720
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Venture Aviation
- Registered owner: Glendel E. Ewell
- Departed: C, CHANDLER, AZ
- Destination: C, SEDONA, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 348 total, 40 in this make and model, 299 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRC, 20 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 19821231066039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821231066039A), Dec 31, 1982: Cessna 172RG, Sedona, AZ, Destroyed. Pitot static tube stuck in closed position. Pilot allowed high sink rate on night landing. Crashed short of runway.

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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