On November 6, 1989, a Cessna 172 (registration N5624A) operated by Kenneth C. Olson was involved in an aviation accident near Safford, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT'S STALL SPEED AS HE TURNED AWAY FROM ASCENDING TERRAIN. 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.
A pilot and passenger conducting an aerial deer search in mountainous terrain went missing after takeoff. The wreckage was later found on a mountainside at 9,000 feet, upright at initial impact.
Flight and Search
The pilot and his passenger were conducting an aerial search for deer in mountainous terrain prior to beginning a hunt. The pilot did not file a flight plan. He took off from his home airport without incident and was not heard from again.
Discovery of Wreckage
After the pilot's family reported the aircraft overdue, a search was initiated. Search aircraft received the aircraft's emergency locator transmitter signal, leading to the discovery of the wreckage on the side of a mountain at an elevation of 9,000 feet. The wreckage was located in an upright attitude at the point of initial ground impact.
Conditions and Context
The flight was conducted in mountainous terrain during a search for deer. No further details about the aircraft, pilot, or passenger were provided in the initial report.
What happened in the 6 Nov 1989 Cessna 172 accident near Safford, AZ?
A pilot and passenger conducting an aerial deer search in mountainous terrain went missing after takeoff. The wreckage was later found on a mountainside at 9,000 feet, upright at initial impact.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 6 Nov 1989 involved a Cessna 172, registration N5624A, operated by Kenneth C. Olson, at Safford, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN AIRSPEED ABOVE THE AIRCRAFT'S STALL SPEED AS HE TURNED AWAY FROM ASCENDING TERRAIN. THE AIRCRAFT'S INADEQUATE PERFORMANCE RESULTING FROM IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL AND HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN HIGH ALTITUDE OPERATIONS WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…