# NTSB LAX82DA179: Cessna 172B, N7444X, Crows Landing, CA, May 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1982, 13:38 local (20:38 UTC)
- Place: Crows Landing, CA
- Location: 37.3944° N, 121.0752° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Crows Landing, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3944&lon=-121.0752&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70377
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70377/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA179

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER CLIMBING TO 3000 FT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER, THE PILOT PUMPED THE THROTTLE AND THE ENGINE POWER BECAME ERRATIC. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND AT A NAVAL AIR STATION BUT WAS FORCED TO LAND IN A PLOWED FIELD WHEN THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. THE AIRCRAFT CROSSED AN IRRIGATION DITCH AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S ENGINEREVEALED NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7444X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17247944
- Airframe hours: 4790
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elliott E. Crable
- Registered owner: Elliott E. Crable
- Departed: 029, PATTERSON, CA
- Destination: VISALIA, CA
- Airport: Crows Landing Nas, runway 35

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 229 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 162 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 30 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 19820517016369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820517016369A), May 17, 1982: Cessna 172B, Crows Landing, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit shorlty after takeoff. Aircraft crashed when it struck ditch during emergency 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.

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