WPR13LA038

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172P · Maricopa, AZ · November 11, 2012

Accident · Minor injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
November 11, 2012, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
Place
Maricopa, AZ
Injuries
1 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N65835Cessna 172P
Defining event
Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report December 15, 2014
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Western Pacific Region
Parties
FAA FSDO, Textron Aviation
FAA report
20121111024389A
Case key
85554

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.

Findings · 2

NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.

Performance/control parameters: pitch controlAircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operationCessna 172P: 8 casesAll aircraft: 526 casesProbable cause
Use of equip/info: aircraft controlPersonnel issues › Task performance · PilotCessna 172P: 76 casesAll aircraft: 9,295 casesProbable cause

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Analysis

The pilot reported that the airplane lifted off about 300 feet from the end of the 2,400-foot-long dirt runway. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane pitched up. The airplane then stalled, and the left wing dropped. The pilot was unable to recover control of the airplane before it impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest about 600 feet from the end of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Factual narrative

On November 11, 2012, about 1145 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172P, N65835, collided with terrain during the initial climb following takeoff from Mel's Ranch Airport (AZ78) near Maricopa, Arizona. Sunrise Aviation was operating the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage from impact forces. The cross-country personal flight was departing with a planned destination of Santa Ana, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.The pilot reported that the airplane lifted off about 300 feet from the end of runway 27; the runway surface was dirt, and it was 2,400 feet long. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane pitched up; the airplane stalled, and the left wing dropped. The pilot was unable to recover prior to the airplane contacting the ground. The airplane came to rest about 600 feet from the end of runway. A post-accident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Aircraft

Registration
N65835
Reported as
Cessna 172P
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17275903
Built
1982
Airframe hours
6,237
Engine
Lycoming 0-320-D2J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Sunrise Aviation
Registered owner
Starcraft Enterprises Inc
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · October 1, 2012
Departed
AZ78 · Maricopa, AZ
Destination
SNA · Santa Ana, CA
Airport
AZ78 · Mel's Ranch, runway 27, 2,400 × 80 ft, dirt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
49
Injuries
Minor
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Last flight review
September 6, 2012
Seat
Left
Restraint
3-point
Flight hours
138 total · 123 in this make and model · 45 as pilot in command · 37 in the last 90 days · 8 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
Variable at 3 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
61 °F, dew point 19 °F
Altimeter
30.28 inHg
Observed at
KGYR

Docket · 3

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2014, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 2.4 MB in all.

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.