Preliminary information
On February 21, 2026, 1746 Mountain standard time, a Cessna 177B airplane, N12984, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rocky Junction, Arizona. The pilot and passenger sustain minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91personal flight.
The pilot reported that during departure at about 6,500ft msl (means sea level) the engine loss total power. The pilot observed one of the cylinder head temperatures was over 460 degrees. The pilot turned on the fuel boost pumps, changed fuel tanks but was unable to restart the engine. The pilot made a forced landing into remote hilly terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings.
A postaccident examination of the wreckage is pending the recovery of the aircraft.
Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for ANC26LA016 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Feb 22, 2026
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rocky Junction, Arizona
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 2
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Cessna 177B
- N-number
- N12984
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1975
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.