# Accident 20020725017359A: Cessna 172P, Creston, CA, July 25, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 25, 2002, 21:30 local time
- Place: Creston, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 35.6667° N, 120.6167° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6667&lon=-120.6167&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5268K, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5268K) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172P (registry code 2072436, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB LAX02LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA237) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020725017359A

## Narrative

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

(.19) ON JULY 25, 2002, AT 2130 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME, A CESSNA 172P, N5268K, LOST ENGINE POWER AND FORCED LANDED ON A ROAD NEAR CRESTON, CALIFORNIA. THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED BY THE PILOT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF 14 CFR PART 91. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PERSONAL CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT DEPARTED MONTGOMERY FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, ABOUT 1850. NIGHT VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED, AND NO FLIGHT PLAN HAD BEEN FILED. (-23) AIRCRAFT LOST ENGINE POWER ENROUTE TO PRB AT 2120 HOURS. THE PILOT IN COMMAND EXECUTED A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LANDING ON A RURAL ROAD NEAR CRESTON, CA. THE PILOT REPORTED NO INJURIES TO OCCUPANTS AND SOME DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT LEADING EDGE OF THE WING.                                            (-23 AMENDMENT) FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE WING STRUCTURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF WING SKIN AND RIBS. AIRCRAFT UNDAMAGED OTHER THAN THAT CAUSED BY IMPACT WITH AN OBJECT DURING THE EMERGENCY LANDING CAUSING THE WING LEADING EDGE DAMAGE. THE POWERPLANT WAS SERVICEABLE, JUST HAD NO FUEL. AFTER REFUELING POWERPLANT PERFORMED NORMAL. OPERATIONS UNIT          INSPECTOR CONSULTED, PIC COUNSELED.

## 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 LAX02LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA237), Jul 26, 2002: Cessna 172P (N5268K), Creston, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and loss of engine power. A factor in the accident was the dark night conditions.

## Other reports on N5268K (2)

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

- [Accident 20250202000639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250202000639A), Feb 2, 2025: Cessna 172P (N5268K), Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. Flight took off from kmyf for recreational flight to L08 at approximately 1115PST. After a few touch and go's at L08, the flight proceeded to krnm for a few…
- [Incident 20160516017859I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160516017859I), May 16, 2016: Cessna 172P (N5268K), Mesquite, NV, Minor damage. Aircraft made emergency landing in field due to smoke in cockpit. Minor aircraft damage and no injuries.

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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