# NTSB ANC24LA021: Cessna 172, N8907B, Huasna, CA, April 6, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 6, 2024, 11:33 local (18:33 UTC)
- Place: Huasna, CA
- Coordinates: 35, -120 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0000&lon=-120.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC24LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194055/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194055
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC24LA021

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, resulting in a loss of control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause)
- [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was conducting a series of aerial drops for training. After the third pass, he was unable to attain a positive rate of climb. The airplane continued to descend, and the right main landing gear contacted the ground and separated. The airplane veered right and impacted a metal pipe corral fence resulting in substantial damage to the leftwing strut and firewall. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8907B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8907B), registered now, S/N 36707, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36707
- Year built: 1958
- Airframe hours: 4465
- Engines: Continental O-300-A 142 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Air drop, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 2023, 13.6 hours before
- Departed: KSBP, San Luis Obispo, CA
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: None, Huasna Ranch, runway 34, 2,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 9, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 725 total, 526 in this make and model, 632 as pilot in command
- Other flight crew; injuries: minor; private; medical: unknown; seat: right; restraint: 4-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Icing: Unknown
- Turbulence: Unknown
- Observed at: KSMX, 25 nm away
- METAR: KSMX 061151Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 02/02 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP241

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 3, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194055. 3.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17019956&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANC24LA021%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 856 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17001143&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ANCLA24021%20Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf

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.

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