# NTSB LAX04CA157: Cessna 172C, N8287X, Thermal, CA, March 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 14, 2004, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Thermal, CA - Coordinates: 33.628055, -116.160278 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6281&lon=-116.1603&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58897 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04CA157 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58897/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04CA157 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to retract the flaps during the go-around and his failure to obtain and maintain sufficient airspeed, which led to a stall mush condition. High density altitude was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr) - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - airspeed - not obtained/maintained, pilot in command (cause) - stall/mush - encountered, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high vegetation ## Analysis The airplane settled into brush and hit terrain during a go-around. The pilot had successfully completed landings to his private dirt strip prior to the accident. On final approach with 20 degrees of flaps, he noted that the airplane was higher than normal. About 700 feet down the runway, the wheels touched down on the soft dirt. He aborted the landing instead of applying heavy brake pressure. Without retracting the flaps, he climbed to about 100 feet and made a turn to the left. The airplane began to lose altitude and he continued his turn to the left. After completing a 180-degree turn, he leveled out the airplane and lowered the nose, in an effort to regain airspeed. The sink rate continued, and the main landing gear encountered high brush. He thought that the high density altitude was the reason the airplane could not produce enough power to climb. He reported the temperature to be about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2004, about 1400 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172C, N8287X, collided with terrain while attempting to perform a go-around at the pilot's private dirt strip near Thermal, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot was not injured and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight originated from a private strip near Desert Center, California, about 1300, with the planned destination of Thermal. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that he was attempting to land in a dirt field on his property. He had successfully completed landings in the field prior to the accident. While attempting to land, he configured the airplane with two notches of flaps, which is equivalent to about 20 degrees. On final approach, he noted that he was higher than normal. About 700 feet down the runway, the wheels touched down on the soft dirt. He attempted a go-around instead of applying heavy brake pressure, in an effort to avoid an unpleasant ride for his passenger. During the go-around, the pilot left the flaps down and added full power. He climbed to about 100 feet and made a turn to the left. The airplane began to lose altitude and he continued his turn to the left. After completing a 180-degree turn, he leveled out the airplane, and lowered the nose in an effort to regain airspeed. The sink rate continued, and the main landing gear encountered high brush. The airplane settled into the brush and hit the terrain. He thought that the high density altitude was the reason the airplane could not produce enough power to climb. The pilot reported the temperature to be about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. He did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8287X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8287X), registered now, S/N 17248787, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172C - Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17248787 - Engines: Continental O-300-D reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jesse McKeever - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: L64, Desert Center, CA - Destination: Thermal, CA - Airport: NONE, McKeever Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 645 total, 605 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20040314005469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040314005469A), Mar 14, 2004: Cessna 172C, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) On March 14, 2004 the pilot in command of N8287X commenced a flight from desert center airport, desert center, CA (L64) to his privately owned landing… ## Other investigations on N8287X (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 WPR11CA489](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA489), May 7, 2011: Cessna 172C (N8287X), Grants Pass, OR, substantial damage. Probable cause: The student pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed on approach, which resulted in a hard landing. 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.