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Casualties unknown

Aircraft Strikes Terrain Near Rincon Peak in Saguaro National Park (N4575L)

Tucson, AZ, US

On August 30, 1984, a Piper PA-32R-301T (registration N4575L) operated by Flight Trails was involved in an aviation accident near Tucson, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: controlled flight into terrain that resulted from the pilot's failure to ensure a safe VFR altitude. The dark night, which restricted the pilot's view of terrain, was a factor in this accident. 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.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An eastbound aircraft collided with steep terrain at 7,500 feet near Rincon Peak in Saguaro National Park. Weather was clear with high pressure and no convective activity. No moon illumination was present at the time.

Accident Overview

An eastbound aircraft collided with steeply rising terrain within the boundaries of Saguaro National Park, less than a mile north of Rincon Peak, at an elevation of approximately 7,500 feet. The impact occurred on terrain that rises sharply to Rincon Peak, which has a charted elevation of 8,482 feet mean sea level (msl).

Weather Conditions

At the time of the accident, weather conditions were dominated by a high pressure system over the desert southwest. Visibility was unrestricted, and no convective activity had been detected in the vicinity of the accident site for several hours. There was no moon illumination at the time of the accident.

Terrain and Navigation

The sectional chart for the area indicates that the minimum altitude for aircraft flying over Saguaro National Park is ground elevation plus 2,000 feet. The chart also depicts Rincon Peak as the highest point in the park, with an elevation of 8,482 feet msl. The aircraft was flying at an altitude of 7,500 feet when it struck terrain.

Circumstances of the Collision

The aircraft was traveling eastbound when it collided with steep terrain less than a mile north of Rincon Peak. The exact cause of the collision has not been stated in the source material.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 30 Aug 1984 Piper PA-32R-301T accident near Tucson, AZ?

An eastbound aircraft collided with steep terrain at 7,500 feet near Rincon Peak in Saguaro National Park. Weather was clear with high pressure and no convective activity. No moon illumination was present at the time.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 30 Aug 1984 involved a Piper PA-32R-301T, registration N4575L, operated by Flight Trails, at Tucson, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

controlled flight into terrain that resulted from the pilot's failure to ensure a safe VFR altitude. The dark night, which restricted the pilot's view of terrain, was a factor in this accident.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001214X40750. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.