# NTSB LAX89LA126: Cessna 172, N51313, Rio Vista, CA, March 16, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1989, 18:40 local (Mar 16, 1989, 02:40 UTC)
- Place: Rio Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 38.179023, -121.729164 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1790&lon=-121.7292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26351
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA126
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26351/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA126

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF AN EMERGENCY (SIMULATED) MANEUVER BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
  - maneuver - simulated, pilot in command
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A C172 FLEW INTO A TELEPHONE WIRE, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN WHILE EXECUTING A SIMULATED FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO A FIELD ABOUT 8 MILES WEST OF RIO VISTA, CA. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS SHOWING HIS PASSENGERS SIMULATED FORCED LANDING APPROACH TO AN OPEN FIELD. WHILE IN A DESCENT, BOTH OF THE PILOTS AND THE PASSENGER SAW A TELEPHONE WIRE IN THEIR FLIGHT PATH (AT ABOUT 75 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL). THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO AVOID THE WIRE. THE AIRPLANE'S MAIN LANDING GEAR CLEARED THE WIRE BUT, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER CAUGHT THE WIRE. THE PRIVATE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WAS NO REPORTED MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE TO THE AIRPLANE, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51313](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51313-1991-05-02), registration cancelled 1991-05-02, S/N 17274296 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274296
- Airframe hours: 2484
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buchanon Flying Club
- Registered owner: Buchanon Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 1988, 68 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 113 total, 6 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 300° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890315003869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890315003869A), Mar 15, 1989: Cessna 172P, Rio Vista, CA, Substantial damage. Struck powerline while demonstrating a simulated forced landing. Lost control and crashed.

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.