Cessna 152 accident near Williams, Arizona, November 11, 1996
On November 11, 1996 at about 6:05 pm local time, a Cessna 152, registered N714VX, was destroyed in an accident near Williams, Arizona (Valle airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
a foreign object in the oil system, which resulted in failure of the oil pump, oil starvation, loss of engine power, and a subsequent forced landing. Rough/uneven terrain in the emergency landing area was a related factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 1996 · about 6:05 pm local time
- Place
- Williams, Arizona · Valle · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N714VX · no longer on the register · serial 15279477
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during initial climb, the engine gradually lost power. Subsequently, it crash landed on uneven/rocky terrain and came to rest against trees in an inverted attitude. Density altitude was computed to be about 7,300 feet. The pilot reported that prior to the flight, when he first started the engine, no indication of oil pressure was observed. He shut down the engine and purchased 1 quart of oil. No abnormal indications were observed during the subsequent ground check out or takeoff roll. However, during the initial climb, the oil pressure indicator dropped to zero pounds. A teardown examination of the engine was performed. The crankshaft assembly revealed signatures consistent with heat distress in the number 2 main journal area. The oil pump's drive shaft was found broken. A foreign metal object was observed wedged between the teeth of the pump's driving and driven gears, and the engagement end of the oil pump drive shaft was found sheared off. The foreign object resembled a small bolt or screw, which was not used in the manufacture of the engine.
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: 138 hours in all; 102 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 105 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,654 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 5, 1996; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2C (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sunbird Flight Services
The flight
- Departed from: 40G at 6:04 pm
- Destination: SEZ Sedona AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 19, 4,262 ft by 45 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 |
Other NTSB records under N714VX the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX97LA037.