SAFFORD, AZ, USA
N5624A
CESSNA 172
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. THE PILOT'S FAMILY REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT OVERDUE AND A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE AIRCRAFT'S EMERGENCY LOCATOR TRANSMITTER WAS RECEIVED BY SEARCH AIRCRAFT AND THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND 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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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