# NTSB LAX85LA349: Cessna 172K, N79504, Santa Paula, CA, August 15, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1985, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399398, -119.07003 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3994&lon=-119.0700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24800
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24800/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA349

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON A LOCAL FLT TO VIEW CAMPING AND HIKING FACILITIES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE ACFT ENTERED A BOX CANYON WITH A MODERATELY RISING FLOOR AND STEEP SIDES REPORTED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF A MILE WIDE. DURINGAN ATTEMPTED COURSE REVERSAL. THE ACFT STALLED AND IMPACTED NOSE DOWN IN TALL TREES ON THE FLOOR OF THE CANYON. SHERIFF DEPT SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT ONLY THE TREES IMMEDIATELY AROUND THE ACFT WERE DISTURBED. ALTHOUGH NONE OF THE FOUR OCCUPANTS REPORTED A CLEAR MEMORY OF THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE, ONE PASSENGER DID SAY THAT THE 'ENGINE DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT' JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. FUNCTIONAL TESTING OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79504](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N79504-1989-03-17), registration cancelled 1989-03-17, S/N 17258136 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17258136
- Airframe hours: 1827
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Venco Pacific Aviation
- Registered owner: Steven C. Vizzo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 1, 1985, 222 hours before
- Departed: OXR, OXNARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 667 total, 54 in this make and model, 625 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 18 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 19850815038819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850815038819A), Aug 15, 1985: Cessna 172K, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Flew into a narrow box canyon. Impacted ground nose down. Probable stall. Pilot has no memory of entering canyon.

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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