# NTSB LAX92LA248: Cessna 172L, N4163L, Safford, AZ, May 31, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1992, 18:00 local (May 31, 1992, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Safford, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.810943, -109.36087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8109&lon=-109.3609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA248
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27648/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA248

## Probable cause

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDING WITH ANIMALS WHICH RAN ON TO THE RUNWAY DURING THE PILOT'S TAKEOFF ROLL.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT NOT BEING ABLE TO TAKE REMEDIAL ACTION AND AVOID THE ANIMALS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - animal(s) (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID HE APPLIED FULL POWER FOR TAKEOFF.  HE STATED THAT AFTER THE POWER WAS APPLIED AND HE WAS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP, A HERD OF CATTLE STARTED RUNNING TOWARD THE RUNWAY.  HE SAID HE IMMEDIATELY PULLED THE POWER BACK AND SWERVED TO MISS THE CATTLE.  HE FURTHER STATED THAT THE CATTLE CONTINUED TO RUN TOWARD THE AIRPLANE.  HE HIT THREE OF THE COWS.  HE SAID HE STOPPED THE AIRPLANE AND TURNED ALL SYSTEMS OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4163L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4163L), registered now, S/N 17254232, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254252
- Airframe hours: 4132
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Safford Aviation Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Safford Aviation Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1992
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: SAD
- Airport: NONE, Double Circle Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 206 in this make and model

## 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 19920530020689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920530020689A), May 30, 1992: Cessna 172L, Safford, AZ, Substantial damage. Cattle ran toward aircraft during initial takeoff roll. Aircraft struck three cows after pilot aborted takeoff.

## Other investigations on N4163L (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX70D0192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX70D0192), Nov 25, 1969: Cessna 172 (N4163L), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage

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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