# NTSB LAX89LA139: Cessna 172, N20356, Santa Barbara, CA, March 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1989, 13:53 local (21:53 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Coordinates: 34.409332, -119.699737 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4093&lon=-119.6997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 2, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA139

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS BY THE PLT WHEN HE DECIDED TO INTENTIONALLY FLY LOW OVER ROUGH WATER IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AND THE PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - proper altitude - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN OBSERVED FOR SEVERAL MINUTES FLYING VERY LOW OVER THE WATER. AT ONE POINT, IT STRUCK THE WATER BUT RECOVERED AND FLEW A BIT HIGHER ABOVE THE WATER FOR ANOTHER MILE. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT TURN TOWARD THE SHORELINE AND IT APPEARED TO GLIDE NOSE DOWN INTO THE WATER. THE STUDENT PILOT SAID HE WAS DESCENDING TOWARD THE WATER AT 400 TO 600 FPM WHEN THE ENGINE BACKFIRED. HE SAID THAT HE APPLIED CARBURETOR HEAT BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN ROUGH AND WOULD PRODUCE ONLY 1,200 RPM. HE FLEW AT THIS POWER SETTING FOR A MILE OR MORE, JUST ABOVE THE WATER, AND EVEN STRUCK THE TOPS OF THE WAVES AT TIMES. THE WHEELS STRUCK THE WATER AND THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED, AND THEN NOSED INTO THE WATER. THE WRECKAGE WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20356](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20356-2013-07-01), registration cancelled 2013-07-01, S/N 17261218, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 32796
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Yehiam Kanski, doing business as Air School
- Registered owner: Yehiam Kanski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 15, 1989, 60 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 70 total, 48 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 19890328004849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890328004849A), Mar 28, 1989: Cessna 172M, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Observed low over water struck water bounced, then landed in water. Blamed engine problem. Undetermined.

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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