# Accident 20141224023799A: Cessna 172, Sutter Creek, CA, December 24, 2014

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 24, 2014, 12:35 local time
- Place: Sutter Creek, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Unknown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 38.4050° N, 120.7919° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4050&lon=-120.7919&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8518B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8518B-2018-02-20) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Cessna 172 (registry code 2072402, https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Continental 0-300 series (registry code 17022, https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Reported engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 2
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 900 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR15FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA070) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141224023799A

## Narrative

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

ON DECEMBER 24, 2014, AROUND 12:35 PACIFIC DAYLIGHT TIME (PST), A CESSNA 172, N8518B, WAS DESTROYED WHEN IT IMPACTED TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF MILES NORTHEAST OF WESTOVER FIELD / AMADOR COUNTY AIRPORT (JAQ) IN JACKSON, CALIFORNIA. THE PRIVATE PILOT AND ONE PASSENGER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATED UNDER DAY VISUAL FLIGHT RULES, PART 91. WITH NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED, THE PERSONAL FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM SOUTH COUNTY AIRPORT OF SANTA CLARA (E16) CALIFORNIA, AT ABOUT 11:30 PST; INTENDED DESTINATION WAS JAQ, WHERE INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS CONTROLLED BY THE AMADOR COUNTY SHERIFF?S DEPARTMENT. THE MAJORITY OF THE WRECKAGE WAS CONTAINED IN PROXIMITY OF THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE DEGREE OF DAMAGE INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD STRUCK THE GROUND AT A NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE.

ACCORDING TO NTSB, WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE SOUNDED ROUGH AND WAS CUTTING OUT. HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN OVERCAST THAT PREVENTED THEM FROM SEEING THE AIRPLANE.

THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS TRANSPORTED TO AN APPROVED TEAR-DOWN FACILITY FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

THIS REPORT MAY BE AMENDED WITH NEW EVIDENCE.

## 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 WPR15FA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15FA070), Dec 24, 2014: Cessna 172 (N8518B), Sutter Creek, CA, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The noninstrument-rated pilot's encounter with instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) while maneuvering, which resulted in a loss of airplane control due to spatial disorientation. Contributing…

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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