NTSB Factual Report

On September 15, 2018, about 1540 mountain standard time, N734FT, a Cessna 172N, was substantially damaged following a loss of control and impact with terrain during initial climb near St. Johns Industrial Airpark (SJN), St. Johns, Arizona. The commercial pilot and two passengers were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, which was being operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident, with a reported destination as the Phoenix Goodyear Airport (GYR), Goodyear, Arizona.

In a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the owner of the airplane, who was a rated pilot and seated in the right front cockpit seat, reported that during the initial climb out from runway 14, and at a low altitude, the stall warning horn sounded. At this time the left seat pilot-in-command said to the pilot/owner, "You better take it."; this was followed almost immediately by the airplane colliding with a stand of cottonwood trees. The airplane subsequently came to rest inverted, with substantial damage to both wings, the forward fuselage, and empennage. The owner stated that they had just "topped off" both fuel tanks prior to departing, and that there were no anomalies with the airplane or engine prior to or during the takeoff that would have preluded normal operation.

At 1554, the automated weather observation system located at SLN reported wind 180° at 5 knots, sky clear, visibility 10 miles, temperature 31° Celsius (C), dew point 3° C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury. The SLN airport elevation is 5,733. Calculated density altitude was about 8,600 ft at the time of the accident.

734ft