Cessna 172P accident near Maricopa, Arizona, November 11, 2012
On November 11, 2012 at about 6:45 pm local time, a 1982 Cessna 172P, registered N65835, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Maricopa, Arizona (Mel'S Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain proper pitch control during the initial climb, which resulted in a stall, loss of airplane control, and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 11, 2012 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Maricopa, Arizona · Mel'S Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P, built 1982 · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N65835 · no longer on the register · serial 17275903
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane lifted off about 300 feet from the end of the 2,400-foot-long dirt runway. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane pitched up. The airplane then stalled, and the left wing dropped. The pilot was unable to recover control of the airplane before it impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest about 600 feet from the end of the runway. A postaccident examination of the airframe revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 138 hours in all; 123 in this make and model; 37 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days; 45 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: September 6, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,237 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 2,401 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming 0-320-D2J (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Sunrise Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: AZ78 Maricopa AZ at 6:45 pm
- Destination: SNA Santa Ana CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,400 ft by 80 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observation at 7:47 pm from KGYR
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.
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.