# NTSB LAX92FA305: Cessna 175A, N8048T, Overgaard, AZ, July 19, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 19, 1992, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC)
- Place: Overgaard, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.370479, -110.479698 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3705&lon=-110.4797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27443
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27443/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA305

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PERFORMANCE PLANNING AND DECISION TO OPERATE THE AIRPLANE OVER THE MAXIMUM CERTIFIED GROSS WEIGHT AT A HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AIRPORT WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS DURING THE THREE PRECEDING ANNUAL INSPECTIONS WHICH FAILED TO DETECT BROKEN GEAR TEETH FROM A PREVIOUS MAINTENANCE DEFICIENCY WHICH ACCELERATED THE ENGINE WEAR THROUGH FOREIGN OBJECT DAMAGE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly - worn (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A CESSNA 175A DESCENDED DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE FROM THE AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAND PROPPED THE AIRPLANE TO START THE ENGINE. THE AIRPLANE THEN TAXIED FOR DEPARTURE WITH THREE OTHER ADULTS IN THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE CLIMBED TO ABOUT TWENTY FEET AND DID NOT GAIN ALTITUDE. THE AIRPLANE WAS DETERMINED TO BE 21 POUNDS OVER GROSS WEIGHT. THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 8,800 FEET ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED METAL PARTICLES SUSPENDED IN THE ENGINE OIL. ANALYSIS OF THE ENGINE OIL REVEALED ENGINE WEAR TO BE HIGH FOR THE 13 HOURS SINCE THE LAST OIL CHANGE. TEETH FROM A BROKEN STARTER DRIVE GEAR WERE FOUND IN THE ENGINE OIL SUMP. THE STARTER DRIVE HAD BEEN REPLACED 3.5 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THREE ANNUAL INSPECTIONS WERE COMPLETED IN THE 3 YEAR PERIOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8048T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8048T-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 56748, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175A
- Registry model: [Cessna 175A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175a) (registry code 2072504) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56748
- Airframe hours: 1238
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO 300A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Falk, Eugene C.
- Registered owner: Falk, Eugene C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: AZ82
- Destination: SDL, SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Airport: AZ82, Mogollon Airpark, runway 2, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19920719025849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920719025849A), Jul 19, 1992: Cessna 175A, Overgaard, AZ, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Unable to climb on takeoff. Struck trees. Over gross,high density altitude, downwind, hot day, weak engine 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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