# NTSB GAA16CA002: Cessna 172, N4286Q, Avalon, CA, October 1, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 1, 2015, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Avalon, CA - Coordinates: 33.407775, -118.411109 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4078&lon=-118.4111&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 17, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Long Beach FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 92121 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92121/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92121 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA002 ## Probable cause The pilot's exceedance of the critical angle of attack in turbulent and downdraft conditions, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and collision with terrain on final approach. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during his first approach to land he elected to go-around due to the crab angle and buffeting. On the second approach, he encountered downdrafts and moderate turbulence again on short final and applied power to go-around. During the go-around, the airplane continued to sink and impacted a cliff about 250 feet short of the runway threshold, and ultimately came to rest at the bottom of the cliff near a road. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. According to the airport manager, when the airplane was on final approach he announced on the common traffic advisory frequency, "wind 250 at 11 and use caution for down drafts and turbulence on short final." The accident pilot acknowledged the transmission. The airport manager continued to observe the airplane and witnessed the pitch angle continuously increase on final approach, and then he heard the engine power increase. Subsequently, the airport manager witnessed the airplane "stall" and "fall from view." The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during his first approach to land he elected to go-around due to the crab angle and buffeting. On the second approach, he encountered downdrafts and moderate turbulence again on short final and applied power to go-around. During the go-around, the airplane continued to sink and impacted a cliff about 250 feet short of the runway threshold, and ultimately came to rest at the bottom of the cliff near a road. The fuselage and both wings sustained substantial damage. According to the airport manager, when the airplane was on final approach he announced on the common traffic advisory frequency, "wind 250 at 11 and use caution for down drafts and turbulence on short final." The accident pilot acknowledged the transmission. The airport manager continued to observe the airplane and witnessed the pitch angle continuously increase on final approach, and then he heard the engine power increase. Subsequently, the airport manager witnessed the airplane "stall" and "fall from view." The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4286Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4286Q-2018-12-15), registration cancelled 2018-12-15, S/N 17260186, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (L) - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260186 - Year built: 1971 - Airframe hours: 9172 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Beach Cities Aviation Academy - Registered owner: Pk88 Aircraft Leasing LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 25, 2015 - Departed: HHR, HAWTHORNE, CA - Destination: AVX, Avalon, CA - Airport: AVX, Catalina, runway 22, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 10, 2013; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 278.6 total, 103.9 in this make and model, 224.3 as pilot in command, 1.1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 13 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KAVX ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20151001020909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151001020909A), Oct 1, 2015: Cessna 172L, Avalon, CA, Substantial damage. On October 1, 2015 at 1608 PDT U.S. Registered aicraft N4286Q impacted the ground just short of the approach end of R22 at kavx. There were three POB at the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 11, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92121. 2.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434921&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Airport Manager) (item 2, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434922&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Airport%20Manager)-Master.PDF - Docket Photos (item 3, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Docket%20Photos-Master.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. --- 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.