# NTSB LAX93LA102: Cessna 172N, N737EA, Sedona, AZ, January 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1993, 17:00 local (Jan 24, 1993, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Sedona, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.940956, -111.939231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.9410&lon=-111.9392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27911
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27911/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA102

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS DELAY IN EXECUTING A GO AROUND.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - high wind
  - weather condition - downdraft
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE SELECTED A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 3 IN WINDS REPORTED FROM 030 DEGREES AT 20 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 25 KNOTS. DURING THE APPROACH THE PILOT SAID THAT A 'DOWNDRAFT BECAME APPARENT.'  THE PILOT SAID HE CONTINUED THE APPROACH AND 'POWER WAS ADDED UNTIL THE POINT OF DROPPING BELOW THE GLIDE SLOPE WHEN FULL POWER WAS APPLIED AND GO AROUND PROCEDURES WERE IMMEDIATELY EXECUTED.' THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE TURNED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR A RIDGE, BUT THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO SINK AND COLLIDED WITH THE RIDGE ABOUT 50 YARDS SOUTHEAST OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPORT IS IN A VALLEY AND WAS CONSTRUCTED BY GRADING OFF THE TOP OF A HILL OR RIDGE. THE TERRAIN DROPS AWAY FROM THE RUNWAY ON ALL SIDES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737EA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737EA-2000-06-01), registration cancelled 2000-06-01, S/N 17269351 (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: 17269351
- Airframe hours: 3725
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Action Aviation
- Registered owner: Earnest L. Coleman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 11, 1992, 87 hours before
- Departed: GEU, GLENDALE, AZ
- Airport: SEZ, Sedona, runway 3, 5,131 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 106 total, 17 in this make and model, 106 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 20 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °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 19930123000789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930123000789A), Jan 23, 1993: Cessna 172N, Sedona, AZ, Substantial damage. Downdraft on short final. Unable make runway on a ridge. Collided with ridge short of runway.

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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