Cessna 152 accident near Sedona, Arizona, February 3, 1995
On February 3, 1995 at about 6:17 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N46874, was substantially damaged in an accident near Sedona, Arizona (Sedona 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 pilot's improper compensation for the prevailing wind conditions, and his improper remedial action by raising the flaps before applying the power. The downdraft was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 3, 1995 · about 6:17 pm local time
- Place
- Sedona, Arizona · Sedona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N46874 · no longer on the register · serial 15283129
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AIRPORT UNICOM ADVISED THE PILOT THAT STRONG WINDS EXISTED AT THE AIRPORT WHICH IS SITUATED ON TOP OF A MESA. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, WITH THE FLAPS FULLY EXTENDED, THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED SEVERE DOWNDRAFTS. THE PILOT IMMEDIATELY RAISED THE FLAPS TO 20 DEGREES, APPLIED FULL POWER, AND THEN RAISED THE NOSE TO ATTAIN THE BEST ANGLE OF CLIMB AIRSPEED. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO DESCEND UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
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: 82 hours in all; 72 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 46 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,072 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 19, 1995; 27 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SDL Scottsdale AZ at 5:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 5,131 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 19 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 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.