# NTSB LAX94LA082: Cessna 175, N6623E, Peoria, AZ, December 26, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 26, 1993, 14:03 local (21:03 UTC) - Place: Peoria, AZ - Coordinates: 33.649959, -112.239753 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6500&lon=-112.2398&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 20, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28628 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28628/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA082 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to attain sufficient altitude following takeoff. A factor in the accident was the pilot's failure to use all available runway for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb - object - fence - altitude - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis Witnesses reported observing the pilot taxi onto the 2,000-foot long runway from an intersection which afforded him between 1,200 and 1,400 feet of usable runway. Nothing unusual was noted during the airplane's ground roll and lift-off, and the airplane began climbing. After the airplane gained between 30 and 60 feet, its pitch attitude lowered, and no additional altitude was gained. The airplane's landing gear collided with a perimeter chainlink fence and cactus, and the airplane came to rest about 1\4 mile from the airstrip. The airplane was recovered from the accident site and was examined. No mechanical discrepancies were found with any airplane system or with the engine. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On December 26, 1993, at 1403 mountain standard time, a Cessna 175, N6623E, operated by the pilot, collided with a fence and terrain after taking off from the Pleasant Valley (uncontrolled) Airstrip, Peoria, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight. The airplane was destroyed, and the commercial pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. A witness reported hearing the airplane's engine start, and nothing unusual was noted. Thereafter, the pilot taxied for takeoff. No engine run-up was heard performed. The pilot was observed to takeoff from a location on the runway customarily used by glider pilots, and from that location between 1,200 and 1,400 feet of runway was available for use. According to the witness, had the pilot "back-taxied" on the runway, the pilot's available runway would have increased to a total length of about 2,000 feet. The witness further reported that nothing unusual was noted during the airplane's ground roll or lift-off. The witness stated that the airplane appeared to lift-off normally and from a location which seemed appropriate for that size airplane. The airplane's pitch attitude also seemed normal and nothing unusual was noted. The airplane climbed between 50 and 60 feet above the runway's surface, and then the airplane's nose was slightly lowered. A second witness similarly reported that the airplane's ground roll and initial climb had initially appeared normal. This witness reported that the airplane appeared to have only climbed 30 feet above the runway's surface before it stopped climbing. Two other witnesses, who were located on a dirt road approximately 60 feet southwest of the runway, reported seeing the airplane flying an estimated 10 to 20 feet above the ground. These witnesses indicated that after the airplane passed their position they stopped their motorcycles, turned around, and observed a cloud of dust. They subsequently found the crashed airplane about 100 feet from the road. The responding Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator and the Peoria Police Department reported finding evidence of the airplane's landing gear having impacted the top rail area of the west perimeter chainlink fence. Thereafter, evidence was found of the airplane having collided with saguaro cactus. The airplane came to rest in an inverted attitude an estimated 1/4 mile from the runway's end. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The FAA coordinator further reported that about 2 months prior to the accident the airplane had been modified. In pertinent part, the modification involved installation of a tail wheel assembly, a Lycoming engine, and a Hartzell propeller. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION Information received from the FAA, the Peoria Police Department, witnesses, and from airplane recovery personnel indicated that the male occupant was found secured by a seatbelt in the left front seat which had remained on its seat track rails. The propeller blades were found with leading edge gouges and chordwise scratches, and they were torsionally twisted. Fuel was observed in the vicinity of the broken wing tanks. Oil was observed on the ground in the vicinity of the impact damaged propeller hub assembly. There was no evidence of fire. Under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board and supervision of the FAA, on December 28, 1993, the recovered airplane was examined while in storage at Air Transport, Phoenix, Arizona. According to the participant from the Cessna Aircraft Company, during the examination of the structure continuity was established between all flight control surfaces and the cockpit controls. No evidence of preimpact discrepancies were found with any airframe or aircraft system. According to the participant from Textron-Lycoming Engines, all engine controls were found connected. During movement of the carburetor's throttle assembly, fuel discharged from the port. The fuel screen was found free of obstructions. The continuity of the valve and gear train was established during 360-degree rotation of the crankshaft. Spark was observed from ignition leads upon rotation of both magnetos' drive shafts. All spark plugs exhibited normal electrode wear. No evidence was found of any preimpact mechanical failure of any rotating or reciprocating component. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office, Phoenix, Arizona. The autopsy did not disclose evidence of physical incapacitation or impairment that would have adversely affected the pilot's ability to operate the airplane. The FAA's Toxicology and Accident Research Laboratory reported finding no evidence of drugs or ethanol. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION At the completion of the participants' examination of the wreckage, it was verbally released to the owner's assigned insurance adjuster from AVEMCO. No records or parts have been retained by the Safety Board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6623E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6623E-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N 56123, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 175 - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 56123 - Airframe hours: 2252 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hoyt A. Phelps - Registered owner: Betty And Hoyt Phelps - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1993, 24 hours before - Airport: AZ05, Pleasant Valley, runway 23, 2,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,400 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °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 19931226047179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931226047179A), Dec 26, 1993: Cessna STC175, Peoria, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Depart from mid runway with 1200 ft available. Lifted dropped nose to gain speed. Hit fence. Flipped inverted. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.