# NTSB LAX90FA025: Cessna 172, N5624A, Safford, AZ, November 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1989, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Safford, AZ
- Location: 32.8333° N, 109.6974° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Safford, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8333&lon=-109.6974&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA025

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT'S STALL SPEED AS HE TURNED AWAY FROM ASCENDING TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE RESULTING FROM IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SEARCH FOR DEER IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN PRIOR TO BEGINNING A HUNT. THE PILOT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. HE TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE PILOT'S FAMILY REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT OVERDUE AND A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE AIRCRAFT'S EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER WAS RECEIVED BY SEARCH AIRCRAFT AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 9,000 FEET. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE AT THE POINT OF INITIAL GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5624A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5624A-2013-05-10), registration cancelled 2013-05-10, S/N 28224, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28224
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-B 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth C. Olson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 235 total, 40 in this make and model, 196 as pilot in command, 102 in the last 90 days, 72 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19891106044669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891106044669A), Nov 6, 1989: Cessna 172, Safford, AZ, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Wreckage indicates a stall into trees on mountainside. Was searching for deer. Density altitude a factor.

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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