On January 22, 1997, a Cessna R172K (registration N736WZ) operated by Ronald J. Haarer was involved in an aviation accident near Bagdad, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: continued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the high/mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed into rising mountainous terrain south of its destination, following weather-related cancellations and multiple reports of low clouds obscuring mountain tops.
Incident
An aircraft was found to have crashed into rising mountainous terrain south of its destination. The operator reported that several flights had been canceled on the morning of the accident due to darkening weather north of the departure airport.
Weather Reports
A witness on the ground reported that the mountain tops around the accident site were shrouded in clouds. A second witness reported a cloud bank over the mountains, southeast of the destination airport. A third witness, who was flying through the area, reported that the mountains near the accident site were obscured in low clouds.
Pilot Actions
The pilot received a weather briefing before departure.
Investigation
The investigation is ongoing. No further details have been released.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 22 Jan 1997 Cessna R172K accident near Bagdad, AZ?
An aircraft crashed into rising mountainous terrain south of its destination, following weather-related cancellations and multiple reports of low clouds obscuring mountain tops.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 22 Jan 1997 involved a Cessna R172K, registration N736WZ, operated by Ronald J. Haarer, at Bagdad, AZ.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
continued flight by the pilot into adverse weather conditions, and his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the high/mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions.
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