On March 1, 1985, a Cessna 172 (registration N62344) was involved in an aviation accident near Tucson, AZ. No fatalities were reported. 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.
During his first solo cross-country flight, a student pilot experienced a 45-degree left bank at lift-off, reduced power, and touched down hard on dirt beside the runway, damaging the aircraft. He had 1.3 hours of solo flight time.
Incident Overview
A student pilot on his first solo cross-country flight encountered control difficulties shortly after lift-off. The aircraft entered a left bank of approximately 45 degrees. The student pilot reduced power, and the aircraft touched down hard on the dirt adjacent to the runway, resulting in damage to the aircraft.
Sequence of Events
The pilot believed that turbulence from a Boeing 737 might have affected his aircraft. The Boeing 737 had taken off about two minutes earlier on runway 11L. However, it did not lift off until it was approximately 2,000 feet beyond the intersection of runway 21 and runway 11L. The Cessna had not yet reached that intersection when it banked to the left.
Pilot Experience
The student pilot had accumulated only 1.3 hours of solo flight time at the time of the incident.
What happened in the 1 Mar 1985 Cessna 172 accident near Tucson, AZ?
During his first solo cross-country flight, a student pilot experienced a 45-degree left bank at lift-off, reduced power, and touched down hard on dirt beside the runway, damaging the aircraft. He had 1.3 hours of solo flight time.
Were there any fatalities in the 1 Mar 1985 Cessna 172 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 1 Mar 1985 involved a Cessna 172, registration N62344, at Tucson, AZ.
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