Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Roosevelt, Arizona 85545
Tuesady, May 31, 1994 8:20 MST

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

The pilot reported that he made a low pass over a private airstrip next to a lake, but does not remember the accident sequence. Witnesses in boats stated that the aircraft made a low pass over the airstrip, then flew out over the lake surface at an agl altitude estimated at 50 feet. The aircraft flew for about a mile over the water, then was observed to begin a turn. The left wing tip contacted the water and the aircraft cartwheeled into the lake. One witness was an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic who works on general aviation aircraft. He reported that the engine sounded strong and normal during the accident sequence from the time the aircraft left the airstrip until it crashed into the lake. The airframe wreckage was recovered from the lake and examined. Control system continuity was established. The engine separated from the airframe during the impact sequence and was not recovered. The witnesses stated that the lake surface was glassy smooth.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water conditions which may have affected the pilot's perception of his actual height above the water.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 5/31/1994
Event Day of the Week Tuesday
Time of Event 820
Event Time Zone Mountain Standard Time
Event City ROOSEVELT
Event State ARIZONA
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 85545
Event Date Year 1994
Event Date Month 5
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude
Event Location Longitude
Event Location Airport
Event Location Nearest Airport ID
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles --
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation --
Weather Briefing Completeness Unknown
Investigator's weather source Witness
Time of the weather observation 0
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 0
Weather Observation Facility ID
Elevation of weather observation facility 0
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 0
Time Zone of the weather observation
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height 0
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height 0
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) 0
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) 0
Visibility (Statute Miles) 30
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 29
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 190
Variable Wind Indicator Unknown
Wind Speed (knots) 5
Wind Velocity Indicator Unknown
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) 0
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) --
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation Unknown
METAR weather report --
Event Highest Injury Fatal
On Ground, Fatal Injuries 0
On Ground, Minor Injuries 0
On Ground, Serious Injuries 0
Injury Total Fatal 1
Injury Total Minor --
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious 1
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 1103
NTSB Notification Source --
NTSB Notification Date May 31 1994 12:00AM
NTSB Notification Time 1150
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information IMAGE
Date of most recent change to record Dec 6 2000 11:15AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N6305J
NTSB Number LAX94LA231
Missing Aircraft Indicator N
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? --
Damage Destroyed
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name CESSNA
Aircraft Model 172N
Aircraft Series Identifier 172N
Aircraft Serial Number 17273859
Certified Max Gross Weight 2150
Aircraft Category Airplane
Aircraft Registration Class U.S. Registered/U.S. Soil
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 4
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection 100 Hour
Date of Last Inspection May 19 1994 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 12
Airframe Hours 2497
ELT Installed Yes
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name VENTURE AVIATION, INC.
Aircraft Owner Street Address 1575 E. RYAN ROAD
Aircraft Owner City CHANDLER
Aircraft Owner State AZ
Aircraft Owner Country
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 85249
Operator is an individual? --
Operator Name VENTURE AVIATION, INC.
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address 1575 E. RYAN ROAD
Operator City CHANDLER
Operator State AZ
Operator Country
Operator Zip code 85249
Operator Code
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation Unknown
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event No
Departure Airport Code P10
Departure City CHANDLER
Departure State AZ
Departure Country
Departure Time 745
Departure Time Zone MST
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code P10
Destination City
Destination State
Destination Country
Specific Phase of Flight Maneuvering
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Jan 2 2001 10:34AM
User who most recently changed record dbo
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 0
Runway Length --
Runway Width --
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --