N5536T

On September 19, 1996, at 0730 hours mountain standard time, a Cessna 172F, N5536T, collided with an agricultural field while the private pilot was attempting a go-around following an aborted landing on a farm road near Ehrenberg, Arizona. The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which departed from Casa Grande, Arizona, about 0600, and was destined for Blythe, California.

The pilot told the NTSB investigator that he was considering landing on the farm, which was his ultimate destination, rather than landing at Blythe and renting a car. The farm was in level terrain along the Colorado River and the paved road, oriented east-west, was about 1/4 mile long. As the aircraft approached the road from the west and descended to about 3 feet, the pilot saw pot holes in the road and decided to initiate a go-around. The pilot estimated that the aircraft had climbed to 50 to 60 feet agl at 50 to 55 mph when he started a right turn to avoid an agricultural aircraft about 1/2 mile ahead. The aircraft stalled in the turn and settled into a field of tall cotton. The pilot said that the wind was calm and there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft.