# NTSB LAX91LA268: Cessna 172, N8382B, Payson, AZ, June 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1991, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Payson, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.18938, -111.169998 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1894&lon=-111.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA268
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA268

## Probable cause

A PREMATURE LIFTOFF, STALL, AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLISION WITH TERRAIN. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT STATED THAT HE PLANNED ON BECOMING AIRBORNE AT ABOUT 65 MPH. THE TAKEOFFF ROLL WAS INITIATED AND THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE PREMATURELY AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 200 FEET AND AT AN AIRSPEED OF ABOUT 45 MPH, WITH THE STALL WARNING HORN ACTIVATED. THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8382B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8382B), registered now, S/N 36182 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36182
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James F. Ballard
- Registered owner: James F. Ballard
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA
- Airport: E69, Payson, runway 24, 4,910 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 281 total, 281 in this make and model, 281 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910624023779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910624023779A), Jun 24, 1991: Cessna 172, Payson, AZ, Substantial damage. Made premature liftoff and stalled about 10 feet AGL after a turn off runway alignment.

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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