Cessna 182Q accident near Deer Valley, Arizona, June 15, 2002
On June 15, 2002 at about 2:20 pm local time, a Cessna 182Q, registered N33PA, was substantially damaged in an accident near Deer Valley, Arizona (Deer Valley Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a loss of engine power for undetermined reasons during the takeoff initial climb, and, the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while maneuvering to return to the runway, which resulted in a stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 15, 2002 · about 2:20 pm local time
- Place
- Deer Valley, Arizona · Deer Valley Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182Q · all 182Qs on the register
- Registration
- N33PA · registry record · serial 18266220
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane experienced a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb and collided with terrain during an attempted return to runway maneuver. The pilot reported that about 200 to 300 feet above ground level there was a loud bang from engine area followed by a strong vibration. The pilot executed a left turn toward a landing area. The passenger reported that the airplane stalled after completing a 180-degree turn back towards the runway. The airplane impacted the ground in a 60-degree nose down attitude. A post accident examination of the airframe and engine found several discrepancies with the fuel system and the engine installation; however, none of these either individually or collectively would have caused the loss of power.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 947 hours in all; 872 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: July 28, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,696 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 2001
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DVT Deer Valley AZ at 2:20 pm
- Destination: SEZ Sedona AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 7L, 4,500 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from SDL
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.