Cessna 172E accident near Kingman, Arizona, January 14, 2026
On January 14, 2026 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1964 Cessna 172E, registered N7783U, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Kingman, Arizona (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to use a pre-takeoff checklist, which resulted in the fuel selector being in the off position, and subsequent loss of engine power during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 14, 2026 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Kingman, Arizona · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172E, built 1964 · all 172Es on the register
- Registration
- N7783U · registry record · serial 17251783
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the airplane reported that during the takeoff roll from a private dirt airstrip, the engine suddenly lost power. As he scanned the instrument panel and engine controls, he observed the fuel selector valve lever in the OFF position. He switched the fuel selector valve to BOTH and noticed that the propeller had stopped turning. Subsequently, the airplane exited the departure end of the runway, impacted a ditch, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lift strut, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the pilot reported that he should have used the checklist. (Fuel was in the “OFF” position).
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 takeoff defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff
- Nose over/nose down during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel selector/shutoff valve › Inadequate inspection
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,763 hours in all; 1,049 in this make and model; 9.4 in the last 90 days; 4.2 in the last 30 days; 2,672 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 5, 2025
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,717.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 12, 2025; 3.1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-D (piston); 4,030 hours total
The flight
- Destination: IGM Kingman AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway None, 1,500 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observation at 11:00 am from KIGM, 7 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KIGM 141751Z AUTO 36009KT 10SM CLR 14/M03 A3035 RMK AO2 SLP239 T01391033 10139 20033 53007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – View of aft fuselage damage
Photograph 2 – View of vertical stabilizer / rudder damageThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on April 16, 2026. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | POH Excerpt | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.