# NTSB WPR13LA038: Cessna 172P, N65835, Maricopa, AZ, November 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 2012, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Maricopa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.011112, -112.281669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0111&lon=-112.2817&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 85554 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA038 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85554/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85554 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA038 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172P, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072436), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65835-2018-02-15), registration cancelled 2018-02-15, S/N 17275903, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17275903 - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 6237 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: minor; 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 ## 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 20121111024389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121111024389A), Nov 11, 2012: Cessna 172P, Maricopa, AZ, Destroyed. Shortly after takeoff aircraft stalled. P.I.c. stated that he did not experience any engine problems. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 12, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85554. 2.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Cessna (item 2, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418853&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Cessna-Master.PDF - Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation (item 3, .PDF, 961 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Party%20Representatives%20to%20NTSB%20Investigation-Redacted.PDF 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.