# Accident 20020604023339A: Cessna 172M, Mountainranch, CA, June 4, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 4, 2002, 15:00 local time
- Place: Mountainranch, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.2167° N, 120.5333° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2167&lon=-120.5333&mi=10
- Aircraft: N61569, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61569-2003-10-25) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172M (registry code 2072418, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA182) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020604023339A

## Narrative

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

(-23) THIS IS A PRELIMINARY REPORT. AMENDMENTS TO FOLLOW. AIRCRAFT DEPARTED SAN DIEGO, CA. ON 6/4/02. THE AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY MADE A STOP AT PORTERVILLE CA. AFTER LEAVING PORTERVILLE, ENROUTE FOR AUBURN, CA., THE AIRCRAFT REPORTEDLY LOST POWER AND CRASHED INTO TREES NORTHEAST OF THE COMMUNITY OF MOUNTAIN RANCH, CA. THERE WAS NO SMELL OF FUEL OR EVIDENCE OF FUEL SPILL AT THE CRASH SITE. THIS WAS ALSO REPORTED BY THE RESCUE CREW AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## 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 LAX02LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA182), Jun 4, 2002: Cessna 172M (N61569), Mountain Ranch, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation and his in-flight planning/decision resulting in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N61569 (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 19940706017609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940706017609A), Jul 6, 1994: Cessna 172P (N61569), Hanford, CA, Substantial damage. Reported power loss on takeoff. Aborted. Overran runway through a fence. No anomalies found.
- [Incident 19810523039259I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810523039259I), May 23, 1981: Cessna 172M (N61569), Selma, CA. Zx parachute canopy partially opened. Jumper survived. Found sleeve lock had malfunctioned. Para commander chute.

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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