# Accident 20020524012589A: Cessna 172K, Fresnocounty, CA, May 24, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 24, 2002, 07:00 local time
- Place: Fresnocounty, CA
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 36.1164° N, 119.6810° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1164&lon=-119.6810&mi=10
- Aircraft: N79944, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79944-2003-11-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172K (registry code 2072430, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA172) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020524012589A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON 05/24/02 AT APPROXIMATELY 0700 STEPHEN A. DONALDSON, PILOT IN COMMAND OF N79944, A CE-172-K, OPERATING UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, CONDUCTED A FORCED LANDING AT LAKE EDISON, FRESNO COUNTY, CA. THE FLIGHT WAS ENROUTE FROM REEDLEY, CA TO STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO IN VMC AT 11,000 FEET WHEN THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN NORMAL POWER BY MANIPULATING THE THROTTLE, MIXTURE CONTROL, AND CARBURETOR HEAT VALVE, WHICH WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED NOSE LOW ON THE NORTH SHORE OF LAKE EDISON CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST APPROXIMATELY 30 FEET OF THE INITIAL POINT OF IMPACT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX02LA172](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA172), May 24, 2002: Cessna 172K (N79944), Lake Thomas A., CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: a partial loss of engine power due to the partial malfunction of the left magneto and leakage of the ignition leads for that magneto, due to inadequate maintenance inspections. Factors in the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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