At 9:30 am, Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch received a 911 call from the passenger of a Cessna 172 that crash landed about 9 miles southeast of I-17 and Highway 89. The passenger stated that the pilot seemed to have minor injuries, and needed medical attention.
With the location of the crash off-road, and the plane approximately 3/4 of the way down a canyon, YCSO Off Highway Vehicle Units responded to extract the pilot and passenger, with a DPS Ranger Helicopter flying the two to a Phoenix area hospital at approximately 12:30 pm. Both pilot and passenger were said to be in stable condition.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by federal agencies, but according to an initial statement from the passenger, the plane’s engine failed.
