# NTSB LAX91LA325: Cessna 172N, N5352D, Napa, CA, July 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 23, 1991, 19:45 local (Jul 24, 1991, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549613, -122.149307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5496&lon=-122.1493&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27302
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA325
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27302/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA325

## Probable cause

THE CFI'S FAILURE TO INITIATE THE GO-AROUND MANEUVER IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND HIS FAILURE TO TERMINATE THE SIMULATED EMERGENCY MANEUVER AT A PROPER ALTITUDE.  A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE GUSTY SURFACE WIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, go-around (vfr)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CFI PLANNED TO DEMONSTRATE TO HIS STUDENT HOW TO EXECUTE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. THE CFI CLOSED THE THROTTLE AND DESCENDED TO LESS THAN 50 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL BEFORE HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD ENGINE POWER IN TERMINATION OF THE DEMONSTRATION.  AS THE ENGINE POWER WAS BEING RESTORED, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED A FEW FEET, CONTACTED THE GROUND AND NOSED OVER.  GUSTY SURFACE WINDS EXISTED.  THE CFI REPORTED THAT HE HAD NOT MAINTAINED A 'SUFFICIENT BUFFER ZONE OF SAFETY' DURING DEMONSTRATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5352D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5352D-1993-05-13), registration cancelled 1993-05-13, S/N 17272539 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272539
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Bridgeford Flying Svc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Destination: OQ9, SONOMA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,502 total, 450 in this make and model, 1,679 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19910723029649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910723029649A), Jul 23, 1991: Cessna 172N, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Carried out practice forced landing too low and slow in gusty crosswind. Lost control,stalled, impacted,nosed over.

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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