# NTSB LAX90LA176: Cessna 172N, N738UC, Sedona, AZ, May 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1990, 08:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.939331, -111.939994 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9393&lon=-111.9400&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26805
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26805/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA176

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN APPROPRIATE AIRSPEED DURING THE ATTEMPTED GO-AROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, landing - aborted
  - aborted landing - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED SHE WAS ON HER SECOND SOLO FLIGHT. DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT, SHE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE, THE PILOT ALLOWED IT TO STALL AND COLLIDE WITH THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738UC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738UC-1993-02-01), registration cancelled 1993-02-01, S/N 17270239 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270239
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Arrow Vision
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SEZ
- Destination: SDZ
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,000 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 28 total, 28 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19900516015839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900516015839A), May 16, 1990: Cessna 172N, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Tried to go around,became airborne but fell back to runway and flipped over.

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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