N5792A

On September 22, 2001, at 0830 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172 single engine airplane, N5792A, impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power on takeoff from a private airstrip at Skull Valley, Arizona. The airplane was registered to a private individual, and was operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The private pilot sustained minor injuries, and the two passengers had no injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The local flight originated from the private airstrip at 0730.

According to the pilot's written statement, he departed runway 2, which is a dirt runway, with a 7-knot headwind. Shortly after clearing the runway, "the engine began to lose rpm." The pilot elected to land the airplane in a small clearing north of the runway. The right wing impacted a small tree during the emergency approach, and the airplane impacted the ground with the right main landing gear and the nose landing gear. After all three landing gear made ground contact, the nose wheel struck a stone and separated at the nose strut. The airplane nosed over, coming to rest inverted.

The private dirt airstrip (Quarter Circle J) is 2,900 feet in length and is situated at an elevation of 4,366 feet msl. The temperature was estimated to be in the low 70's, and the wind was estimated by the pilot from 360 degrees at 7 knots. According to the pilot, he had 30 gallons of fuel remaining at the time of departure.

The reason for the loss of engine power was not determined.