Cessna 172P accident near Santa Rita, Outside the U.S., December 2, 2018
On December 2, 2018 at about 7:40 pm local time, a 1985 Cessna 172P, registered N98884, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (change of cruise level) near Santa Rita, Outside the U.S.. 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 2, 2018 · about 7:40 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Rita, Outside the U.S. · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P, built 1985 · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N98884 · no longer on the register · serial 17276371
- 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 run-up and takeoff were normal. The airplane was at about 2,500 ft mean sea level when the pilot heard a reduction in engine power before it abruptly lost power. The pilot initiated a forced landing onto an abandoned runway; it exited the end of the runway and impacted vegetation before coming to rest. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings. Postaccident airframe and engine examination revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined based on the available evidence.
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 engine power (total) during enroute (change of cruise level) defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 714 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 555 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 15, 2017
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,516 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, October 29, 2018; 61 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2J (piston); 10,132 hours total
- Operator: Trend Vector Aviation International Inc
The flight
- Departed from: PGUM Tamuning OF at 6:30 pm
- Destination: PGUM Tamuning OF
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 070° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 2,100 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 81°F (27°C)
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observation at 9:54 am from GUM, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 7, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 12 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Engine Examination Observations from Mechanic | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.