# NTSB LAX02LA269: Cessna 172N, N739ZV, Lakeside, CA, August 31, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 31, 2002, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC) - Place: Lakeside, CA - Coordinates: 32.855769, -116.92974 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8558&lon=-116.9297&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55620 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA269 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55620/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA269 ## Probable cause The failure of the engine to respond for undetermined reasons. Also causal was the student's decision to continue the simulated emergency maneuver to an altitude that was insufficient to allow for contingency options. The unsuitable nature of the terrain selected for the landing terrain was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - ravine (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane made an off-airport landing following a loss of engine power. The student initiated a simulated engine failure and set up for a forced landing. The maneuver began at 4,200 feet agl and the pilot attempted the recovery at 500 feet agl. While recovering from the maneuver, the engine would not regain power. The student pilot executed a forced landing in a field, damaging the nose gear, firewall, and right wing. A post accident engine examination by the Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded engine power generation. ## Factual narrative On August 31, 2002, about 1020 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739ZV, collided with terrain during an off-airport landing in Lakeside, California, following a loss of engine power. Plus One Flyers, Inc., was operating the rental airplane as an instructional flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the student pilot was not injured. The local flight originated from Montgomery Field (MYF), San Diego, California, about 1000. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the preflight and departure were uneventful. Upon reaching the practice area, he performed clearing turns and announced his intentions to complete various maneuvers. After completing a series of maneuvers, the pilot announced his intentions to perform a simulated engine failure. The pilot then simulated an engine failure at approximately 4,200 feet above ground level (agl) and performed his troubleshooting checklist, while looking for a place to land. At 500 feet agl, the pilot began his recovery: carburetor heat off; throttle full; and flaps up. The engine briefly gained "minimal" power and then completely lost power. The pilot assessed the situation, verifying the status of the airplane: carburetor heat off; throttle full; mixture rich; fuel on fullest tank; and primer in. When it was clear to the pilot that the engine would not regain power, he searched for a landing spot (the original landing spot was no longer an option). After touchdown, the airplane went over a bump. The pilot saw an approaching ravine and applied the brakes. As the airplane came to rest at the edge of the ravine, it turned approximately 180 degrees. During the landing roll, the nose gear, firewall, and outer right wing were damaged. The engine was examined under the surveillance of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector at Spider's Aircraft Services in San Diego. No problems were noted during the examination. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739ZV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739ZV-2004-04-01), registration cancelled 2004-04-01, S/N 17270945, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17270945 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Plus One Flyers, Inc. - Registered owner: D. Gordon Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 10, 2002 - Departed: MYF, San Diego, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 85 in this make and model, 17 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: KMYF, 10 nm away ## 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 20020831025069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020831025069A), Aug 31, 2002: Cessna 172N, Lakeside, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 31, 2002, about 1020 pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N739ZV, made an off-airport landing in Lakeside, California, following a loss of… ## Other investigations on N739ZV (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 LAX91LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA063), Dec 30, 1990: Cessna 172 (N739ZV), Tucson, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: BOTH PILOTS USED POOR VISUAL LOOKOUT PROCEDURES. 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.