# NTSB LAX72AL065: Cessna 172, N3683L, La Mesa, CA, June 30, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 30, 1972
- Place: La Mesa, CA · LA MESA, CA
- Location: 32.7713° N, 117.0161° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of La Mesa, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7713&lon=-117.0161&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 18, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX72AL065
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72AL065

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0945  72/6/30    LA MESA,CALIF       CESSNA 172          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 33, 150
        TIME - 0055                    N3683L              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - GILLESPIE
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN DIEGO,CALIF             CHULA VISTA,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED
        REMARKS- BECAME LOST AND RCVD VECTORS TO GILLESPIE. PLT STATED HE HAD FLD IN SIGHT. PATCHY FOG IN AREA.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3683L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3683L-2018-03-16), registration cancelled 2018-03-16, S/N 17253852, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Gillespie

## Other investigations on N3683L (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 FTW67D0444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67D0444), Feb 10, 1967: Cessna 172 (N3683L), Newkirk, OK, substantial damage

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.

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