N518ER

On November 29, 2003, about 1400 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172S, N518ER, impacted the side of a mountain while maneuvering about 21 nautical miles northeast of Wikieup, Arizona. The private pilot was not injured during the solo instructional flight, and the airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was operated by the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University located in Prescott, Arizona, under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Bullhead City, Arizona, about 1307.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that his planned cruise altitude to Prescott was 9,500 feet mean sea level (msl), but he elected to cruise at an elevation lower to the terrain. The pilot stated that while cruising about 7,000 feet msl, which was initially 1,000 feet above ground level, he entered an area of rising mountainous terrain. The pilot attempted to gain altitude, and he adjusted the airplane engine's fuel mixture. The pilot stated that the engine's tachometer was indicating between 2,300 and 2,500 rpm. No unusual vibrations were detected, but the airplane would not outclimb the rising terrain. The pilot further indicated that he entered a "dead end canyon," and he did not observe any suitable landing site while maneuvering over the ground. The pilot indicated that he stalled the airplane moments before it impacted the upsloping mountainside.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's flight department management reported to the Safety Board investigator that the pilot's approved flight plan indicated an en route cruise altitude of 9,500 feet msl. According to the management, the pilot acknowledged that en route he had decided to view features on the surface and had descended. He told management that minutes prior to the accident, he had been flying over a valley. Then, unable to outclimb the rising terrain which led into a box-like canyon, he had maneuvered the airplane until it impacted the mountainside about 7,200 feet msl.