# NTSB LAX08LA187: Cessna R172K, N758DH, Big Bear City, CA, June 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 21, 2008, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Big Bear City, CA - Coordinates: 34.2625, -116.86972 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2625&lon=-116.8697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 6, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68290 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68290/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08LA187 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain and maintain an adequate airspeed that led to a stall/mush. Contributing to the accident was the lack of suitable terrain for an off airport landing and a high density altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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 R172K, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Ditching](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441); cases with it: [Cessna R172K, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md?model=2072431), [All aircraft, 186 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/441/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after a longer-than-normal takeoff roll, the airplane lifted off the runway with a climb rate of about 300 to 400 feet per minute. As the airplane passed the end of the runway, climb performance suddenly decreased and the airplane started to descend. The pilot verified the throttle and propeller control positions, advanced the mixture to full rich, and applied 20 degrees of flaps as the airplane continued to descend. The pilot stated that due to trees and residential structures within the immediate area, he decided to initiate a controlled landing in a lake as close to the shoreline as possible. Subsequently, the pilot landed the airplane tail first in the water, resulting in substantial damage to both wings. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe. He added that at the time of the accident, the airplane was about 190 pounds under the maximum gross weight. The density altitude was calculated to be 9,100 feet mean sea level and the pressure altitude was claculated as 6,328 feet msl. Using the calculated pressure altitude, density altitude, aircraft's maximum gross weight, and reported weather conditions, a representative from the airframe manufacturer calculated that the airplane should have attained a climb rate of approximately 500 feet per minute at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On June 21, 2008, about 1015 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna R172K, N758DH, was substantially damaged during a precautionary landing after takeoff from the Big Bear City Airport (L35), Big Bear City, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The cross-country flight was originating at the time of the accident with an intended destination of San Diego, California. In a written statement, the pilot reported that the takeoff roll from runway 26 was longer than normal. Upon lifting off from the runway, he recalled the climb rate was about 300 to 400 feet per minute. As the airplane crossed the end of the runway, climb performance decreased and the airplane started to descend. The pilot verified the throttle and propeller control positions, advanced the mixture to full rich, and applied 20 degrees of flaps as the airplane continued to descend. He stated that due to trees and residential structures within the immediate area, he decided to initiate a controlled landing in the water as close to the shoreline as possible. Subsequently, the airplane landed tail first within the water. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and swam to shore. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the left and right wings were structurally damaged. The pilot did not report any mechanical anomalies with the engine or airframe. He added that at the time of the accident, the airplane weighed 2,360 pounds. The airplane's maximum gross weight is 2,550 pounds. The Big Bear City Airport is an uncontrolled airport that features a single 5,850-foot-long asphalt runway oriented 080 and 260 degrees, respectively. The reported field elevation of L35 is 6,752 feet mean sea level (msl). At 1011, the Automated Weather Observation System at L35 reported winds from 260 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; clear sky; temperature 25 degrees Celsius; dew point -5 degrees Celsius; and an altimeter setting of 30.38 inches of Mercury. Using the recorded weather information and airport elevation, the density altitude was calculated to be 9,100 msl feet, and the pressure altitude was calculated to be 6,328 feet msl. Using the calculated pressure altitude, density altitude, aircraft's maximum gross weight, and reported weather conditions, a representative from Cessna Aircraft Company calculated the climb rate of the airplane to be approximately 500 feet per minute at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N758DH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N758DH), registered now, S/N R1723009, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K - Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R1723009 - Airframe hours: 2305 - Engines: Continental IO-360-K 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Harold D. Patterson - Registered owner: Harold D. Patterson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, March 1, 2008, 6 hours before - Departed: L35, BIG BEAR, CA - Destination: SEE, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: L35, Big Bear City Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 28, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 332 total, 215 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: L35 ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20080621835019I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080621835019I), Jun 21, 2008: Cessna 172, Big Bear City, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) CE-172XP attempted takeoff on r/w 26 at Big Bear City, CA airport (L-35). Aircraft never achieved flying speed but managed to fly in ground effect for… 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.