Accident Overview
On November 11, 2012, at approximately 1145 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172P (registration N65835) collided with terrain during the initial climb following takeoff from Mel's Ranch Airport (AZ78) near Maricopa, Arizona. The airplane was being operated by Sunrise Aviation as a rental under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The airplane experienced substantial damage from impact forces. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Flight Details
The flight was a cross-country personal trip with a planned destination of Santa Ana, California. The pilot reported that the airplane lifted off approximately 300 feet from the end of runway 27, which had a dirt surface and a length of 2,400 feet. Shortly after takeoff, the airplane pitched up, entered a stall, and the left wing dropped. The pilot was unable to recover before the airplane struck the ground. The wreckage came to rest about 600 feet from the end of the runway.
Wreckage Examination
A post-accident examination of the airframe revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. No further details regarding the examination were provided in the source.