Casualties unknown

Pilot Encounters Flap Indicator Discrepancy During Landing (N4663D)

Phoenix, AZ, US

On March 9, 2007, a Cessna 172N (registration N4663D) operated by Westwind School OF Aeronautics was involved in an aviation accident near Phoenix, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain during landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's distracted attention due to the inaccurate flap indicator. 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

A pilot landing after a cross-country flight had a flap indicator issue, leading to a stall warning and impact with the ground. Recovery personnel found the indicator read 10 degrees off.

Event Narrative

A pilot was landing at his destination at the end of a cross-country flight. While turning onto final, the airplane was higher than normal. The pilot extended the flaps to 30 degrees, but the airplane was not descending normally. He looked at the flap indicator, which showed 20 degrees, although the selector arm was at 30 degrees. The pilot then moved the selector further down, attempting to obtain 30 degrees of flaps. The airplane rapidly slowed, the stall warning horn sounded, and the airplane veered sharply to the left. The pilot applied full throttle, retracted the flaps, and then the airplane impacted the ground.

Findings

According to the aircraft recovery personnel, when the flaps were selected, the appropriate flap extension would occur. However, the indicator read 10 degrees off.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Mar 2007 Cessna 172N accident near Phoenix, AZ?

A pilot landing after a cross-country flight had a flap indicator issue, leading to a stall warning and impact with the ground. Recovery personnel found the indicator read 10 degrees off.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Mar 2007 involved a Cessna 172N, registration N4663D, operated by Westwind School OF Aeronautics, at Phoenix, AZ.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall and uncontrolled descent into terrain during landing. A contributing factor was the pilot's distracted attention due to the inaccurate flap indicator.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20070411X00400. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.