# NTSB LAX89LA194: Cessna R172E, N88778, Young, AZ, May 14, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 14, 1989, 14:05 local (21:05 UTC)
- Place: Young, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.080356, -111.009681 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0804&lon=-111.0097&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA194
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA194

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS DECISION TO LAND AT THE RESTRICTED AIRPORT WHICH HAD A TREE LOCATED 20 FEET FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE CENTERLINE ONCE HE MADE THE DECISION TO LAND THERE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

ON SHORT FINAL THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF CENTERLINE ALIGNMENT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT, HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRSTRIP IS A RESTRICTED DIRT STRIP WHICH IS APRX 32 FT WIDE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE TREE WAS 20 FT FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88778](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88778), registered now, S/N R172-0128 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172E
- Registry model: [Cessna R172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172e) (registry code 2072413) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R172-0128
- Airframe hours: 3024
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Rudolph Hillig
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 7, 1988, 67 hours before
- Departed: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Airport: Pleasant Valley, runway 27, 3,900 × 32 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 218 total, 134 in this make and model, 129 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19890514011429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890514011429A), May 14, 1989: Cessna R172E, Young, AZ, Substantial damage. Left wing hit a tree close to runway edge just prior to landing. Lost control and crashed. Narrow strip and crosswind

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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