Cessna R172E accident near Young, Arizona, May 14, 1989
On May 14, 1989 at about 9:05 pm local time, a Cessna R172E, registered N88778, was substantially damaged in an accident near Young, Arizona (Pleasant Valley airport). 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 PILOTS DECISION TO LAND AT THE RESTRICTED AIRPORT WHICH HAD A TREE LOCATED 20 FEET FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE CENTERLINE ONCE HE MADE THE DECISION TO LAND THERE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 1989 · about 9:05 pm local time
- Place
- Young, Arizona · Pleasant Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna R172E · all R172Es on the register
- Registration
- N88778 · registry record · serial R172-0128
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ON SHORT FINAL THE ACFT DRIFTED OFF CENTERLINE ALIGNMENT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT FOR THE DRIFT, HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED TO DRIFT AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE NEAR THE EDGE OF THE RWY. THE PLT SUBSEQUENTLY LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT AND IT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE AIRSTRIP IS A RESTRICTED DIRT STRIP WHICH IS APRX 32 FT WIDE. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE TREE WAS 20 FT FROM THE CENTERLINE OF THE AIRSTRIP.
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
- Flight time: 218 hours in all; 134 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 129 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,024 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 7, 1988; 67 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: DVT Phoenix AZ at 8:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,900 ft by 32 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.