# NTSB investigations, 1997, CA NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 4 · 182 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB LAX98LA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA065.md): Cessna 172RG · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 1997 · N5404V · Substantial damage > The student and flight instructor's failure to verify that the landing gear was in the down position, and the design of the electrical system in which a single-point aircraft system malfunction (one open circuit breaker) disabled both the landing gear warning… - [NTSB LAX98LA054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA054.md): Piper J3C-65 · Stoil, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 24, 1997 · N91915 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate obstacle clearance and his inadequate visual outlook.. Factors were a severed fuel line which resulted in an in-flight fire, which diminished the pilot's ability to land the airplane with smoke and fire in the cockpit. - [NTSB LAX98LA062](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA062.md): Piper PA-24-260 · Healdsburg, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 21, 1997 · N8805P · Substantial damage > the pilot's misjudged distance and altitude relationship to the runway during a short field approach, which resulted in an undershoot and a hard landing. - [NTSB LAX98LA058](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA058.md): Bellanca 8KCAB · Truckee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1997 · N5058L · Substantial damage > internal mechanical failure of the engine due to a progressive failure of the No. 3 connecting rod assembly. A contributing factor was the snow pack which covered the only accessible emergency landing area. - [NTSB LAX98IA061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98IA061.md): McDonnell Douglas MD-80 · San Francisco, CA · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Dec 20, 1997 · N932AS · No damage > An emergency evacuation due to fumes from a failed hydraulic line that entered into the cabin. - [NTSB LAX98LA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA060.md): Cessna 180H · Santa Ynez, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 13, 1997 · N123LJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's improper flare. Related factors were the crosswind conditions. - [NTSB LAX98LA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA057.md): Saab-Scania 340B · Ventura, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 1997 · N329AE · No damage > Seat belt not used. A related factor was the unforecasted severe air turbulence. - [NTSB LAX98LA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA056.md): Johnson Bushrod · Corona, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 9, 1997 · N6232F · Destroyed > An in-flight loss of control resulting from a malfunction in the wing flap operating system. The malfunction produced asymmetrical drag and induced a roll which could not be overcome by the pilot's flight control inputs. - [NTSB LAX98FA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA052.md): Cessna 172N · Lytle Creek, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 7, 1997 · N3548E · Destroyed > the non-instrument rated pilot's inadvertent VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and subsequent loss of aircraft control, due to spatial disorientation. Factors relating to the accident were: the adverse weather conditions (low ceiling… - [NTSB LAX98LA051](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA051.md): Luscombe 8 · Grass Valley, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1997 · N2591K · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadvertent activation of the aircraft brakes during the landing rollout. - [NTSB LAX98LA049](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA049.md): Cessna T210N · Union City, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 2, 1997 · N1396U · Substantial damage > Blockage of the fuel flow transducer, which resulted in fuel starvation and the loss of engine power. Unsuitable terrain for an emergency landing was a contributing factor. - [NTSB LAX98LA055](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA055.md): Cessna 172N · San Jose, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 28, 1997 · N739HE · Substantial damage > the student pilot's failure to maintain an appropriate airspeed and proper rate of descent, and his misjudged landing flare, which led to an uncontrolled porpoise and eventual collapse of the landing gear. - [NTSB LAX98LA047](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA047.md): Cessna 182F · Palmdale, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 26, 1997 · N3543Y · Substantial damage > Loss of engine power due to icing conditions which plugged the fuel system vent. - [NTSB LAX98FA045](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA045.md): Cessna 152 · El Cajon, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 25, 1997 · N757FT · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The solo student's failure to see and follow the other aircraft on the downwind as he had been instructed. Factors influencing this accident was the failure of the pilots in the other aircraft to see and avoid the aircraft encroaching on his flight path; the… - [NTSB LAX98LA044](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA044.md): Maule M-7-235B · San Martin, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1997 · N611BY · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control. - [NTSB LAX98FA043](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA043.md): Cessna 172N · La Jolla, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 24, 1997 · N6463D · Destroyed > the pilot's act of suicide by intentionally diving his aircraft into the ocean. - [NTSB LAX98LA042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA042.md): Robinson R22 Beta · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 22, 1997 · N45SG · Substantial damage > the flight instructor's failure to thoroughly brief his student on the performance standards of the proposed autorotation and the method to be used for a positive transfer of controls. The student's failure to verify the performance standards of the… - [NTSB LAX98LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA040.md): Aero Commander 200D · San Carlos, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 18, 1997 · N2910T · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to verify that there was an adequate supply of fuel in the selected fuel tank prior to takeoff. - [NTSB LAX98FA039](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA039.md): Mooney M20 · Big Bear, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 15, 1997 · N5231B · Destroyed > VFR flight by the pilot into instrument meteorological conditions (VMC), which led to spatial disorientation, loss of aircraft control, and an uncontrolled descent into terrain. Related factors were: the adverse weather conditions, the pilot's lack of… - [NTSB LAX98LA036](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA036.md): Cessna 172RG · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 12, 1997 · N9451D · Substantial damage > Overload of the main gear actuator piston and the subsequent collapse of the landing gear. - [NTSB LAX98LA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA035.md): Beech C23 · Corona, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1997 · N3724Z · Substantial damage > The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. A factor was the rough terrain that resulted in a nose over during the landing roll. - [NTSB LAX98LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA034.md): Globe GC-1B · Los Angeles, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 8, 1997 · N3232K · Substantial damage > The pilot's loss of directional control due to an inadvertent ground loop resulting from a deflated tire. - [NTSB LAX98LA030](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA030.md): Cessna 172P · San Diego, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 1997 · N98483 · Substantial damage > The student pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from a hangar while taxiing. - [NTSB LAX98GA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98GA029.md): Cessna 182R · Markleeville, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Nov 3, 1997 · N2043E · Destroyed > the pilot-passenger's failure to maintain sufficient altitude and airspeed to avoid collision with terrain, and the pilot-in-command's diverted attention and failure to recognize a deteriorating situation in time to effect a safe recovery. - [NTSB LAX98LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA027.md): Piper PA-32R-300 · Santa Rosa, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 31, 1997 · N1655H · Substantial damage > Loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB LAX98LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA026.md): Striplin Lone Ranger Slvr CLD · Agua Dulce, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 29, 1997 · N4478Y · Destroyed > Failure of the propeller system/drive assembly, and the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed, which resulted in a stall and subsequent impact with the ground. Inadequate maintenance/inspection of the propeller system was a contributing factor. - [NTSB LAX98FA031](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA031.md): Cessna U206B · Markleeville, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 27, 1997 · N4982F · Destroyed > the pilot's improper planning/decision, which resulted in his failure to maintain sufficient altitude or clearance from mountainous terrain. Factors relating to the accident were: the excessive gross weight of the airplane, the high density altitude, and the… - [NTSB LAX98LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA021.md): Revolution MINI-500 · Long Beach, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1997 · N7234Y · Destroyed > loss of engine power and low rotor rpm for undeterminted reasons. The factory representative's recommendation to reduce the main rotor low pitch stop (from -1.8 degree to -0.5 degree) may have been a related factor. - [NTSB LAX98FA022](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA022.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA-300 · Castaic, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 26, 1997 · N69BW · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft during an aerobatic maneuver. - [NTSB LAX98LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA023.md): Cessna 182Q · Hamburg, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1997 · N759TA · Substantial damage > the pilot's improper flare, which resulted in a hard landing and overload failure of the nose gear. High terrain (obstruction) near the approach end of the runway was a related factor. - [NTSB LAX98LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA019.md): Piper PA-24-250 · Fullerton, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1997 · N8203P · Substantial damage > the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve and subsequent damage to the airplane. - [NTSB LAX98LA018](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA018.md): Cessna 152 · Torrance, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 23, 1997 · N89257 · Substantial damage > failure of the student pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during a touch-and-go landing, which resulted in an inadvertent ground swerve, an encounter with soft terrain, and a nose over. The sudden gust of wind was a related factor. - [NTSB LAX98LA015](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA015.md): Beech D17S · Chino, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 20, 1997 · N67736 · Substantial damage > fuel starvation resulting from the pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and improper fuel management. Contributing factors were the nighttime conditions and the rough/uneven terrain. - [NTSB LAX98FA008](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA008.md): Adrian Davis LONG-EZ · Pacific Grove, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 13, 1997 · N555JD · Destroyed > the pilot's diversion of attention from the operation of the airplane and his inadvertent application of right rudder that resulted in the loss of airplane control while attempting to manipulate the fuel selector handle. Also, the Board determined that the… - [NTSB LAX98LA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA011.md): Cessna 170A · Quincy, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 1997 · N9212A · Substantial damage > loss of directional control due to a severe tail wheel vibration, which was induced by an improperly installed and adjusted tail wheel assembly. - [NTSB LAX98FA009](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA009.md): Bellanca 7ECA · Tracy, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 12, 1997 · N11860 · Destroyed > The pilot's low operating altitude and his failure to maintain appropriate clearance during low level maneuvering flight. Contributing factors were transmission wires and the physical impairment that resulted from the effects of the over-the-counter… - [NTSB LAX98LA025](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA025.md): Ciernia GLASAIR-III · Desert Center, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 1997 · N153JC · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power due to the eventual loss of electrical power which resulted from the pilot's failure to ensure the alternator switch was on as specified in the before starting checklist. The inoperative alternator out warning light was a factor in this… - [NTSB LAX98LA005](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA005.md): Balloon Works Firefly 11 · Rancho Bernardo, CA · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 1997 · N2585Z · Minor damage > The pilot's intentional flight in high wind conditions and his improper in-flight planning. - [NTSB LAX98FA007](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA007.md): Schweizer 2-32 · Warner Springs, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 1997 · N242DB · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadvertent flight into instrument meteorological conditions after inadvertently encountering mountain wave and associated downdraft conditions. The obscuration and high/mountainous terrain were related factors. - [NTSB LAX98FA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98FA006.md): Cessna 152 · Julian, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Oct 11, 1997 · N67293 · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning which resulted in VFR flight into instrument meteorological conditions and the loss of aircraft control. Contributing was the pilot's overconfidence in his ability, clouds, and rain. - [NTSB LAX98LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA003.md): Cessna 185F · Oakland, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 5, 1997 · N17SR · Substantial damage > The pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, which resulted in a loss of directional control. - [NTSB LAX98LA001](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA001.md): Bell 47G-2 · Burbank, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 3, 1997 · N2483B · Substantial damage > A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. - [NTSB LAX97FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA330.md): Ryan Navion B · Pacoima, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 26, 1997 · N5241K · Destroyed > the dual student's improper positioning of the fuel selector and the CFI's inadequate supervision, which led to a takeoff with the auxiliary fuel tank selected and resulted in fuel starvation. A contributing factor was the position of the nomenclature on the… - [NTSB LAX97FA328](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97FA328.md): Beech C23 · Torrance, CA · Accident · 4 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 21, 1997 · N543JL · Destroyed > The failure of the pilot to attain and maintain adequate airspeed during the initial takeoff climb, which resulted in a stall/spin and subsequent collision with a building. - [NTSB LAX97LA332](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA332.md): Cessna 172M · Long Beach, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 14, 1997 · N61913 · Substantial damage > the student pilot's misjudged landing flare which led to a balloon and subsequent hard landing. - [NTSB LAX97LA326](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA326.md): Lampert M500 · San Carlos, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 13, 1997 · N800GL · Substantial damage > loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's improper use of the flight controls following the loss of power. The pilot's lack of training/certification in rotorcraft operations was a factor in this accident. - [NTSB LAX97LA323](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA323.md): Newberg PL-4A · Placerville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 12, 1997 · N44PN · Substantial damage > failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the rollout phase of the landing sequence, which resulted in a gound swerve. - [NTSB LAX97LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA321.md): Cessna 152 · Murrieta, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 1997 · N65406 · Substantial damage > failure of the flight instructor (CFI) to ensure an adequate preflight of the airplane, and his failure to properly quantify or verify the fuel onboard before departing on a dual instruction flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing. - [NTSB LAX97LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA317.md): Bell 206B · Napa, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1997 · N770GG · Substantial damage > Failure of the pilot to perform an adequate preflight, which resulted in him failing to notice and release the tie down chains. - [NTSB LAX97LA316](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA316.md): Cessna 182B · Madera, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 7, 1997 · N81MK · Substantial damage > fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's failure to compute the fuel required and the fuel available. The pilot's decision to extend his downwind beyond gliding distance of the runway after entering the traffic pattern was a factor in this accident. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb.md?year=1997&state=CA&page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE year(c."eventDate") = 1997 AND c."eventStateOrRegion" = 'CA' AND c."eventCountry" = 'USA' ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?state=CA&year=1997 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.