# NTSB WPR26LA081: Cessna 172E, N7783U, Kingman, AZ, January 14, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 14, 2026, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Kingman, AZ · Private Dirt Runway - Coordinates: 35.34078, -114.03767 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3408&lon=-114.0377&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 16, 2026 - 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): 202300 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202300/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202300 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to use a pre-takeoff checklist, which resulted in the fuel selector being in the off position, and subsequent loss of engine power during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Cessna 172E, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=2072412), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the airplane reported that during the takeoff roll from a private dirt airstrip, the engine suddenly lost power. As he scanned the instrument panel and engine controls, he observed the fuel selector valve lever in the OFF position. He switched the fuel selector valve to BOTH and noticed that the propeller had stopped turning. Subsequently, the airplane exited the departure end of the runway, impacted a ditch, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lift strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported that he should have used the checklist. (Fuel was in the “OFF” position). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7783U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7783U), registered now, S/N 17251783, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E - Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17251783 - Year built: 1964 - Airframe hours: 4717.4 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2025, 3.1 hours before - Destination: IGM, Kingman, AZ - Airport: PVT, Private, runway None, 1,500 × 20 ft, dirt - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 5, 2025; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,763 total, 1,049 in this make and model, 2,672 as pilot in command, 9.4 in the last 90 days, 4.2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KIGM, 7 nm away - METAR: METAR KIGM 141751Z AUTO 36009KT 10SM CLR 14/M03 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP239 T01391033 10139 20033 53007 ## 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 20260114003039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260114003039A), Jan 14, 2026: Cessna 172E, Substantial damage. The pilot/[privacy data omitted] attempted a takeoff from his rural property. At rotation speed the engine stopped running. The aircraft rolled into a ditch… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 16, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202300. 2.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19980232&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - POH excerpt (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 197 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20067552&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=POH%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 409 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19970696&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array_Redacted-Rel.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.