Cessna 172RG accident near Prescott, Arizona, May 27, 2000
On May 27, 2000 at about 5:23 pm local time, a Cessna 172RG, registered N5207U, was destroyed in an accident near Prescott, Arizona. It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The flight instructor's delayed remedial action, and his failure to correct an inappropriate descent during maneuvering flight, while engaged in commercial flight training maneuvers.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 27, 2000 · about 5:23 pm local time
- Place
- Prescott, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172RG · all 172RGs on the register
- Registration
- N5207U · registry record · serial 172RG0283
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with the high desert terrain during maneuvering flight while on a dual instructional flight. The accident site elevation was 4,400 feet mean sea level (msl). The instructor and dual commercial student were scheduled to practice commercial maneuvers, a simulated emergency approach and landing, and system/equipment malfunctions. Radar data depicted the airplane was operated in the prescribed practice area, conducting flight maneuvers. The radar data also indicated that the airplane's maximum altitude was 8,200 feet msl and its lowest altitude was 6,500 feet msl, the minimum altitude observed by the radar. The flight was not in radio contact with any ground facility. At the accident site, the landing gear was found in the extended position, and the flaps were found fully retracted. Damage to the propeller indicated it was rotating at the time of impact. Observed evidence at the accident site indicated the airplane impacted with a high descent rate and low forward velocity, in a slight left wing down, and nose down attitude. No mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane. Traces of antihistamine, ephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine were found in the blood during the toxicology examination of the flight instructor.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 568 hours in all; 76 in this make and model; 73 in the last 90 days; 29 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,473 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, May 25, 2000; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,658 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-F1A6 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PRC AZ at 4:15 pm
- Runway 0
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from PRC, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.