# NTSB LAX83LA301: Cessna 172N, N733PP, Marina, CA, June 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1983, 00:35 local (07:35 UTC)
- Place: Marina, CA
- Coordinates: 36.669456, -121.790992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6695&lon=-121.7910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23763
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA301
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23763/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA301

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - powerplant controls - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - autorotation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE WATER WHILE CIRCLING AT LOW ALT AT NIGHT. DURING THE MANEUVERING THE ENGINE ALSO WAS REPORTEDAS RUNNING ROUGH WHICH FURTHER DISTRACTED THE PLT. HE WAS ALREADY DISTRACTED TRYING TO IDENTIFY AN OBJECT IN THE WATER WHILE CIRCLING. WITHOUT REALIZING IT THE PLT ALLOWED THE ACFT TO DESCEND INTO THE WATER. THE PLT SAID THE WATER 'SORT OFSNUCK UP ON ME.' A WITNESS SAID HE OBSERVED THE ACFT OFF SHORE ABOUT 200 FT CIRCLING FOR 2 OR 3 MINUTES AT LESS THAN 100FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N733PP (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268445
- Airframe hours: 3598
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aero Trends, Inc.
- Registered owner: Mary & Robert Burns
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY PENINS, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 75 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F

## 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 19830624068329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830624068329A), Jun 24, 1983: Cessna 172N, Marina, CA, Destroyed. Inadvertently flew into ocean water offshore en route at night. Aircraft witnessed flying at less than 100 feet.

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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