LAX06CA125

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 172N · Compton, CA · March 7, 2006

Accident · Minor injuriesData collectionFinal report
Date
March 7, 2006, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
Place
Compton, CA
Injuries
2 minor
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N739NUCessna 172N
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report May 30, 2006
Report
Approved by Office Director
Parties
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA report
20060307002879A
Case key
63326

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

control interference by the student pilot during a go-around that resulted in an in-flight collision with power lines.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectGo-around (vfr)
Control interference - initiatedDual studentCause
Object - wire,transmission
Relinquishing of control - not performedDual studentCause
Directional control - not possiblePilot in command(cfi)
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled
Terrain condition - ground

Analysis

The airplane collided with power lines during an attempted go-around and came to rest inverted on a nearby roadway. Following an encounter with turbulence during landing level off the student pilot grabbed the controls firmly and did not release them to the instructor. The airplane drifted left toward parked aircraft and hangars. The instructor added full power to initiate a go-around, but still could not get the student to release his hold on the controls. The airplane cleared the hangars and continued to drift left when the landing gear contacted power lines and the airplane descended nose first into the street below.

Factual narrative

On Mach 7, 2006, about 1300 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739NU, collided with power lines, impacted a roadway, and came to rest inverted next to the Compton/Woodley Airport, Compton, California. Aero Squad operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot, and the student pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damage. The local instructional flight departed Compton/Woodley Airport about 1050. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 33 degrees 53 minutes north latitude by 118 degrees 15 minutes west longitude.

The instructor pilot stated that while on short final to land, she was flying the airplane with the student holding the controls lightly to feel the movement. During level off, turbulence was encountered pushing the airplane up and scaring the student pilot. The student pilot grabbed firm hold on the controls and the airplane began to drift to the left. The instructor said to the student "I have the controls. Don't be scared," but the student would not release the controls. The airplane continued to drift left towards parked airplanes and hangars. The instructor initiated a go-around, added full throttle, and tried to steer the airplane back toward the runway but could not overpower the student's grip on the controls. The airplane cleared the hangars but the landing gear got entangled in power lines and the airplane came down nose first on to a street.

Aircraft

Registration
N739NU
Reported as
Cessna 172N
Category
Airplane
Serial number
17270681
Airframe hours
7,986.6
Engine
Lycoming O-320-D2J, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Instructional · Part 91
Operator
Tomorrows Aeronautical Museum, doing business as Aero Squad
Registered owner
Christiansen Aviation
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · December 1, 2005 · 81.4 hours before
Departed
CPM · Compton, CA
Destination
Compton, CA
Airport
CPM · Compton, runway 25L, 3,322 × 60 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Flight instructor
Age
26
Injuries
Minor
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Right
Flight hours
464 total · 31 in this make and model · 340 as pilot in command · 62 in the last 90 days · 47 in the last 30 days · 2 in the last 24 hours
Role
Student pilot
Age
43
Injuries
Minor
Seat
Left
Flight hours
5 total · 3 in this make and model · 5 in the last 90 days · 5 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
280° at 9 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
61 °F, dew point 45 °F
Altimeter
30.12 inHg
Observed at
KLGB, 6 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.