Big Idea

• There was an airplane crash Sunday morning at about 9 AM
• The pilot reported that he “lost his engine” shortly after take-off from Prescott Regional Airport
• He was able to put the aircraft down just east of Willow Creek Road
• Read more…

UPDATE, Sunday @ 4:30

We received an update late Sunday afternoon from the Prescott Fire Department. One thing to note, if the pilot was injured, it does not appear he was seriously injured. The first report was provided a few hours after the accident, so it is possible that they checked the hospital to find out whether the pilot was injured or not, before putting out. The Fire Department may not have had the latest information.

69 Year-Old Injured in Crash Landing at Prescott Airport

About 9:15 AM on Sunday, May 22nd, Prescott Regional Communications Center received a call from the Control Tower at Prescott airport with a report of an aircraft that crashed just outside of the airport boundary. The pilot was a 69-year-old male that was flying a 1963 Cessna 172. Just after takeoff, at about 500 to 700 feet, the pilot started to experience engine trouble and ended up crashing landing just east of Willow Creek Road between James Lane and Warrior Way near the Deep Well Ranch subdivision. 

The initial arriving unit on scene found the Cessna 172 upside down in a field with moderate damage and no fire whatsoever. A separate engine crew worked to stabilize the aircraft for a safe extrication of the pilot. Hose lines were pulled for protection of the patient and engine crews in the event of a fire. The pilot was treated for spinal injuries and placed on a full backboard. He denied loss of consciousness and had no other indications of head injury so he was transported by ground to Yavapai Regional Medical Center by Lifeline ambulance. The scene was secured for further investigation by law-enforcement, airport authorities and NTSB. 

While most people don’t encounter being a pilot in a plane crash, this gentleman‘s seatbelt undoubtedly saved his life. It’s important to remember whether or not you are flying a light aircraft or driving your own personal vehicle, seatbelts do, indeed, save lives.

Buckle up, every time!

The pilot “lost his engine"

PRESOTT, Ariz. (May 22, 2022) – Around 9:00am Sunday morning, the pilot of a Cessna 172 reported that he “lost his engine” shortly after taking off from Runway 21L (2-1 Left) at Prescott Regional Airport. 

He put the aircraft down in vacant scrubland just to the east of Willow Creek Road in between James Lane and Warrior Way. 

The pilot, the only person onboard, was not injured but was transported to the hospital to be checked out. 

No other information regarding the cause of engine failure is known at this time. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be investigating.