# NTSB LAX91LA312: Cessna 172N, N6521J, Mariposa, CA, July 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1991, 13:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.490669, -120.000015 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4907&lon=-120.0000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA312

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDGING HIS PLANNED APPROACH.  A DOWN-SLOPING RUNWAY SURFACE WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

UPON ARRIVING AT HIS DESTINATION ARPT THE PILOT LANDED ON A DOWN SLOPING RWY.  THE ACFT RAN OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6521J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6521J-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 17273883, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273883
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Freifeld, Mitchell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: 068, Mariposa Yosemite, runway 8, 3,310 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 80 total, 6 in this make and model, 16 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19910714027269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910714027269A), Jul 14, 1991: Cessna 172N, Mariposa, CA, Substantial damage. Overran short sod strip on landing roll and went over an embankment.

## Other investigations on N6521J (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX08CA149](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA149), May 20, 2008: Cessna 172N (N6521J), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate recovery from a bounced landing.

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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