# NTSB LAX91LA015: Cessna 172L, N7815G, Placerville, CA, October 20, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 20, 1990, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.729122, -120.79911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7291&lon=-120.7991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27047
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27047/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA015

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE LANDING ROLL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT'S STATEMENT, THE APPROACH AND TOUCHDOWN WERE NORMAL. DURING THE LANDING ROLL OUT, THE PILOT SAID THE AIRCRAFT SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT AND ENDED UP OFF THE RUNWAY. WHILE THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH SOME CHAPARRAL BRUSH CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO PULL TO THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT TURNED 90 DEGREES AND CAME TO A STOP, WITH THE RIGHT WING CONTACTING AN ENBANKMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7815G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7815G), registered now, S/N 17259515, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17259515
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Placerville Aircraft Services
- Departed: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Airport: PVF, Placerville, runway 23, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 280 total, 78 in this make and model, 211 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19901020046939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901020046939A), Oct 20, 1990: Cessna 172L, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control on landing roll. Ran off runway and ground looped when wing struck bushes.

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.