Cessna 172F accident near Show Low, AZ
On May 26, 2022, a Cessna 172F (airplane) was involved in an accident near Show Low, AZ. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- May 26, 2022
- Place
- Show Low, AZ
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172F · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 34.248°N, 110.023°W
- NTSB ID
- 20220526105133
Official records · WPR22FA188
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn May 25, 2022, about 1750 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172F airplane, N5532R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Show Low Regional Airport (SOW), Show Low, Arizona. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. On the morning of the accident, the pilot flew from Ak-Chin Regional Airport (A39), Maricopa, Arizona, to Falcon Field Airport (FFZ), Mesa, Arizona, to pick up the passenger and then departed for SOW. The flight arrived at SOW about 0900, and the airplane occupants spent most of the day away from the airport. A witness stated the pilot and passenger returned to the airport in the late afternoon. The witness assisted them with refueling the airplane at the self-service fuel pump and stated that both wing tanks were filled to the bottom of the filler neck. Witnesses at SOW observed the airplane attempt to take off from runway 25 about 1745. The airplane became airborne two or three times during the first attempted takeoff but did not climb very high. One witness stated that the airplane touched down, “got squirrely,” and almost departed the end of the runway. Another witness stated that the airplane slid sideways and that the engine “did not sound healthy.” Another witness stated that the engine was “sputtering.” The pilot then taxied the airplane back to the approach end of runway 25 and performed a run-up. A witness stated the engine “sounded bad” when the airplane was taxiing. The pilot then attempted a second takeoff. A
Probable cause
The pilot’s improper leaning of the engine during an extended period of time, which caused an exhaust valve to become stuck and led to the partial loss of engine power during the accident flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt a second takeoff without having the engine further examined.
More accidents in AZ
- De Havilland DHC-6-300, Sep 27, 1989
- Cessna 402C, Jun 19, 1992
- Piper PA-31-350, Aug 17, 1983
- Piper PA-31-350, Feb 13, 1995
- Cessna 421C, Sep 2, 1995
Browse: Arizona · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
