# NTSB LAX84LA309: Cessna 172RG, N9700B, Lakeside, AZ, May 18, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1984, 15:40 local (22:40 UTC)
- Place: Lakeside, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.180873, -109.939865 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1809&lon=-109.9399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24275
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA309
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24275/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA309

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CLEAR RISING TERRAIN AFTER A LOW PASS FOR A PHOTO. THE DENSITY ALT WAS ABOUT 8700 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9700B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0977
- Airframe hours: 7455
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sawyer Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, April 17, 1984
- Departed: E03, SHOW LOW, AZ
- Destination: LAKESIDE, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 456 total, 3 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EO3, 5 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 19840518017809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840518017809A), May 18, 1984: Cessna 172RG, Lakeside, AZ, Destroyed. Too low and slow at a high density altitude while taking pictures. Stalled aircraft into trees avoiding terrain.

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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