Cessna 172 accident near Payson, Arizona, May 30, 2018
On May 30, 2018 at about 11:55 pm local time, a 2007 Cessna 172, registered N780JA, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Payson, Arizona (Payson airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain yaw control during a short-field takeoff in high-density altitude conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 30, 2018 · about 11:55 pm local time
- Place
- Payson, Arizona · Payson · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172, built 2007 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N780JA · registry record · serial 172S10476
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during a short-field takeoff, around 100 ft above the ground, he saw the primary flight display (PFD) airspeed indicator showing 0. He added that the engine appeared to be functioning normally, but he decided to level the airplane and attempt to land on the remaining runway. The airplane then began to turn left, and he added right rudder. Subsequently, the airplane touched down on an adjacent taxiway left of the runway, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. Postaccident examination videos were provided by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. The videos showed both the PFD and backup airspeed indicators moving in sync with air applied to the pitot tube. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 190° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and the calculated density altitude was 7,883 ft. The pilot was departing from runway 24.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Landing gear collapse during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Temp/humidity/pressure › High density altitude › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 95.8 hours in all; 95.8 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 2.5 in the last 30 days; 28 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 10, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection
- Maximum gross weight: 2,550 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-L2A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRC Prescott AZ
- Destination: PAN Payson AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 24, 5,504 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from KPAN
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on September 6, 2018. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N780JA the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.