On February 20, 1982, a Cessna 172N (registration N529CA) operated by Fuller Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Grand Canyon, AZ. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft took off with full flaps at high density altitude. Stall warning sounded intermittently. After flap retraction at 150 feet, the aircraft settled. The pilot, using a lean mixture, landed on a highway and steered into a ditch to avoid a car.
Incident Overview
An aircraft was observed taxiing and taking off with full flaps while the density altitude was approximately 7,700 feet. According to a witness aboard the aircraft, the stall warning activated intermittently from shortly after takeoff until landing.
Flight Sequence
At about 150 feet above ground level, the flaps were retracted. Following flap retraction, the aircraft began to settle. The pilot reported that the mixture was set lean at the start of the flight and that he attempted to re-lean it; the mixture was never enriched.
Landing and Evasive Action
During the landing roll on a small highway, the pilot stated that he was forced into a ditch while trying to avoid a car.
What happened in the 20 Feb 1982 Cessna 172N accident near Grand Canyon, AZ?
An aircraft took off with full flaps at high density altitude. Stall warning sounded intermittently. After flap retraction at 150 feet, the aircraft settled. The pilot, using a lean mixture, landed on a highway and steered into a ditch to avoid a car.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 20 Feb 1982 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N529CA, operated by Fuller Aviation, at Grand Canyon, AZ.
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