# NTSB WPR21LA023: Cessna 172, N7029T, Carefree, AZ, October 24, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 24, 2020, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Carefree, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.816762, -111.90487
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8168&lon=-111.9049&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102190
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA023
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102190/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA023

## Probable cause

The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 30 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 16 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot reported that, while en route in the airplane, a “puff of smoke” originated from the instrument panel, so he decided to conduct a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. While on final approach to land, the airplane stalled and then impacted the ground hard just short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7029T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7029T-2022-09-03), registration cancelled 2022-09-03, S/N 46629 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46629
- Year built: 1959
- Airframe hours: 3061.1
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2020
- Departed: KDVT, Phoenix, AZ
- Destination: KPAN, Payson, AZ
- Airport: 18AZ, Sky Ranch at Carefree, runway 6, 4,037 × 50 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Satellite tracking device, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 87; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.96 inHg
- Observed at: KSDL, 12 nm away
- METAR: KSDL 241753Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 25/08 A2996 RMK AO2 SLP124 T02500078 10250 20194 58001

## 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 20201024018359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201024018359A), Oct 24, 2020: Cessna 172, Carefree, AZ, Substantial damage. At about 10:30 on 10/24/202 aircraft N7029T, a Cessna 172, suffered significant damage during a hard landing just short of runway 6 at airport 18AZ in Carefree…

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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