# NTSB LAX90LA314: Cessna 172P, N51362, Santa Barbara, CA, September 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 7, 1990, 18:04 local (Sep 8, 1990, 01:04 UTC)
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Coordinates: 34.499259, -120.120719 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4993&lon=-120.1207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA314
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA314

## Probable cause

A DISCONNECT OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, approach
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1990, AT ABOUT 1804 PDT, A CESSNA 172, N51362, OPERATED BY THE ALAMEDA AERO CLUB, EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON APPROACH TO THE SANTA BARBARA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT, CALIFORNIA (SBA).  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AT 1700 FEET MSL AND 7 MILES FROM SBA, THE AIRCRAFT'S THROTTLE CONTROL BECAME DISCONNECTED AND THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY PRODUCE IDLE POWER.  HE DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LANDED ON A GOLF COURSE ABOUT 1-1/2 MILES WEST OF SBA.  DURING ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A BERM, NOSED OVER, AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.  NEITHER THE PRIVATE PILOT NOR THE PASSENGER WAS INJURED DURING THE PERSONAL FLIGHT.  VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME, AND A VFR FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED.  THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM SAN CARLOS, CA, ON SEPTEMBER 7, 1990 AT ABOUT 1600.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51362](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51362-1992-11-17), registration cancelled 1992-11-17, S/N 17274302 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274302
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alameda Aero Club
- Registered owner: Eugene Simonalle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA

## 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 19900907038579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900907038579A), Sep 7, 1990: Cessna 172P, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. Throttle disconnected in flight. Landed on golf course and hit berm. Had recent repairs to firewall.

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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