# NTSB LAX06CA125: Cessna 172N, N739NU, Compton, CA, March 7, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 7, 2006, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Compton, CA - Coordinates: 33.889999, -118.243331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8900&lon=-118.2433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 63326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06CA125 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63326/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06CA125 ## 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 In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - control interference - initiated, dual student (cause) - object - wire,transmission - relinquishing of control - not performed, dual student (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command(cfi) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739NU-2006-07-12), registration cancelled 2006-07-12, S/N 17270681, 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: 17270681 - Airframe hours: 7986.6 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 26; injuries: minor; 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 - 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20060307002879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060307002879A), Mar 7, 2006: Cessna 172N, Compton, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Instructor was demonstrating normal landings to student. Student was to "follow" the instructor through the controls. Winds were a crosswind from the… 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.