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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 6, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N5624A

Safford, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Safford, AZ
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N5624A
Operator
Kenneth C Olson
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX90FA025

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SEARCH FOR DEER IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN PRIOR TO BEGINNING A HUNT. THE PILOT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. HE TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE PILOT'S FAMILY REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT OVERDUE AND A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE AIRCRAFT'S EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER WAS RECEIVED BY SEARCH AIRCRAFT AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 9,000 FEET. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE AT THE POINT OF INITIAL GROUND IMPACT.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT'S STALL SPEED AS HE TURNED AWAY FROM ASCENDING TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE RESULTING FROM IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER WERE CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SEARCH FOR DEER IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN PRIOR TO BEGINNING A HUNT. THE PILOT DID NOT FILE A FLIGHT PLAN. HE TOOK OFF FROM HIS HOME AIRPORT WITHOUT INCIDENT AND WAS NOT HEARD FROM AGAIN. THE PILOT'S FAMILY REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT OVERDUE AND A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE AIRCRAFT'S EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER WAS RECEIVED BY SEARCH AIRCRAFT AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF 9,000 FEET. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE AT THE POINT OF INITIAL GROUND IMPACT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN5624A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKenneth C Olson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-B · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 38 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data