Cessna 172P and Cessna 152 accident near Mesa, Arizona, July 25, 2002
On July 25, 2002 at about 11:00 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Cessna 172P (N97056) and Cessna 152 (N152BR), were involved in the same accident near Mesa, Arizona (Falcon Field Airport). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's use of an excessive taxi speed and too close of a spacing interval to the airplane ahead, which resulted in an on-ground collision when the preceding airplane abruptly stopped.
the pilot of the other airplane'ss use of an excessive taxi speed and too close of a spacing interval to the Cessna 152, which resulted in an on-ground collision when the Cessna 152 abruptly stopped.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 25, 2002 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mesa, Arizona · Falcon Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Cessna 172P · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N97056 · no longer on the register · serial 172-76150
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N152BR · no longer on the register · serial 15285232
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 172P final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was taxing to the run up area and collided with a Cessna 152 that was standing with engine running in the run up area. Before taxiing, the pilot completed a preflight inspection and a brake check, both of which showed no abnormalities with the airplane. He was taxiing at 1,000 rpm, which was about 13 miles per hour. Just before approaching the run up area, he began to reduce the throttle and applied brake pressure. The right brake did not respond. In an effort to avoid a propeller strike, the pilot decided to remain on the taxiway. He applied full left brake pressure and the airplane's left wing tip collided with this airplane's vertical stabilizer. The airplane continued to the left and departed the taxiway. The operator stated during recovery the airplane's brakes were tested. Both brakes appeared to be functioning properly. A repair shop that assessed the damage stated that after a thorough inspection, they could not find any malfunction of the braking system.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with a standing Cessna 152 while taxiing. Before taxiing, the pilot completed a preflight inspection and a brake check, both of which showed no abnormalities with the airplane. He was taxiing at 1,000 rpm, which was about 13 miles per hour. Just before approaching the run up area, he began to reduce the throttle and applied brake pressure. The right brake did not respond. In an effort to avoid a propeller strike, the pilot decided to remain on the taxiway. He applied full left brake pressure and the airplane's left wing tip collided with a C152's vertical stabilizer. The airplane continued to the left and departed the taxiway. The operator stated during recovery the airplane's brakes were tested. Both brakes appeared to be functioning properly. A repair shop that assessed the damage stated that after a thorough inspection, they could not find any malfunction of the braking system.
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 for the Cessna 172P from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 599 hours in all; 335 in this make and model; 179 in the last 90 days; 87 in the last 30 days; 527 as pilot in command; 224 on instruments
- Last flight review: April 12, 2002
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 11,701.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, August 2, 2002; 50.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-DJ2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFZ Mesa AZ at 10:50 pm
- Destination: SDL Scottsdale AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 250° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 102°F (39°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from SDL, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 65 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFZ Mesa AZ at 10:50 pm
- Destination: SDL Scottsdale AZ
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Other NTSB records under N97056 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.