Cessna 177B accident near Rocky Junction, Arizona, February 22, 2026
On February 22, 2026, a 1975 Cessna 177B, registered N12984, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Rocky Junction, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 22, 2026 · cases in 2026
- Place
- Rocky Junction, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177B, built 1975 · all 177Bs on the register
- Registration
- N12984 · registry record · serial 17702394
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On February 21, 2026, 1746 Mountain standard time, a Cessna 177B airplane, N12984, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rocky Junction, Arizona. The pilot and passenger sustain minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91personal flight. The pilot reported that during departure at about 6,500ft msl (means sea level) the engine loss total power. The pilot observed one of the cylinder head temperatures was over 460 degrees. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pumps, changed fuel tanks but was unable to restart the engine. The pilot made a forced landing into remote hilly terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. A postaccident examination of the wreckage is pending the recovery of the aircraft.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Go Fly Az LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PAN Payson AZ
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 350° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 9:00 pm from KIWA, 70 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KIWA 220350Z 35006KT 10SM CLR 15/M05 A3020
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N12984 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Cessna 177 Cardinal 2,158 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Cessna 72,684 aircraft on the register
- Payson Airport · departed from
- Accidents and incidents in Arizona 2,985 since 1982 · 468 in the last ten years
- Arizona 8,422 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ANC26LA016.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.