# NTSB LAX83LA339: Cessna 172, N2799E, Payson, AZ, July 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1983, 18:45 local (Jul 16, 1983, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Payson, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.189331, -111.169967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1893&lon=-111.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA339
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA339

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - refueling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD TAKEN A CHECK OUT IN THE ACFT EARLIER AND AFTER THAT FLT THE FUEL TANKS REGISTERED LESS THEN 1/2 FULL. THE PILOT ADDED 6 GALLONS TO EACH TANK PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. AFTER FLYING ABOUT 1 HOUR, 2 PASSENGERS BECAME AIRSICK SO A LANDING WAS MADE AT AN EMERGENCY STRIP. DURING TAKEOFF 2 HOURS LATER AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL THE ENGINE LOST POWER, AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING. THERE WAS ONE-HALF GALLON OF FUEL IN ONE TANK AND THE OTHER TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CARBURETOR BOWL WAS DRY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILLAGE OR LEAKS NOTED. NO OTHER DISCREPANIES WERE FOUND IN CHECKING THE POWERPLANT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2799E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271326
- Airframe hours: 2246
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aztec Aviation
- Registered owner: Ermal P. Davis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 13, 1983, 84 hours before
- Departed: P37, GLENDALE, AZ
- Airport: Red Creek, runway 27, 1,930 ×  ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,859 total, 170 in this make and model, 3,581 as pilot in command, 130 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °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 19830715032889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830715032889A), Jul 15, 1983: Cessna 172, Payson, AZ, Destroyed. Engine lost power on climbout. Struck a tree and crashed. Both fuel tanks were devoid of usable fuel.

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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