Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack while landing, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
NTSB analysis
The private pilot reported that, while en route in the airplane, a “puff of smoke” originated from the instrument panel, so he decided to conduct a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. While on final approach to land, the airplane stalled and then impacted the ground hard just short of the runway.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR21LA023 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 24, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Carefree, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Sky Ranch At Carefree (18AZ)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172
- N-number
- N7029T
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1959
- 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.