# NTSB LAX91LA233: Cessna 172RG, N9663B, Point Magu, CA, June 1, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 31, 1991, 19:52 local (Jun 1, 1991, 02:52 UTC)
- Place: Point Magu, CA
- Coordinates: 33.259578, -119.499992 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2596&lon=-119.5000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27223
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA233
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27223/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA233

## Probable cause

A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE AIRPLANE'S STROBE LIGHT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH IGNITED THE PLASTIC TUBING OF THE PITOT STATIC SYSTEM CAUSING AN INFLIGHT FIRE AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - exterior light(s) - shorted (cause)
  - pitot/static system - fire (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 172RG CAUGHT FIRE IN FLIGHT AT ABOUT 5,000 FEET MSL.  THE PILOT ACCOMPLISHED AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  SMOKE AND FUMES WERE NOTED BEING EMITTED IN THE VICINITY OF THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT RUDDER PEDALS WHILE IN FLIGHT.  SHORTLY THEREAFTER EIGHTEEN INCH FLAMES ERUPTED FROM THE AREA OF THE RUDDER PEDALS.  THE PILOT DIVERTED TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT AND ACCOMPLISHED AN EMERGENCY LANDING.  EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THE PLASTIC TUBING OF THE PITOT STATIC HAD IGNITED.  THE SOURCE OF THE IGNITION WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE AIRPLANE STROBE LIGHT SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9663B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9663B-1993-12-13), registration cancelled 1993-12-13, S/N 172RG0954 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0954
- Airframe hours: 2459
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Wings, Inc
- Registered owner: Kaldal, Gudrum M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 22, 1991, 2 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: NTD, Point Magu Nas, runway 3, 11,000 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 133 total, 2 in this make and model, 63 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Observed at: NTD, 1 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 19910531018809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910531018809A), May 31, 1991: Cessna 172RG, Point Mugu, CA, Substantial damage. Fire in flight,smoke in cockpit. Emergency landing. Evacuated. Smoke inhalation. Strobe light wires shorted.

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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