# NTSB LAX91LA345: Cessna 172N, N2457L, Lake Elsinore, CA, August 4, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1991, 17:45 local (Aug 4, 1991, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake Elsinore, CA
- Location: 33.6681° N, 117.3273° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Elsinore, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6681&lon=-117.3273&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27316
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27316/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA345

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT FOR UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING AND POOR VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING SOUTH OVER THE COLORADO RIVER NEAR NEEDLES, CA AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL WHILE ENROUTE TO LAKE HAVASU CITY, AZ, THE PILOT FAILED TO SEE THE EAST/WEST TRAVERSING WIRES AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THEM.  THE NOSE AND LEFT MAIN LANDING GEARS SEPARATED, BUT THE PILOT WAS STILL ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT.  THE PILOT ELECTED TO DIVERT TO SKYLARK ARPT, LAKE ELSINORE, CA, HIS HOME BASE.  UPON LANDING ON THE DIRT RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE SKIDDED TO THE LEFT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT WING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2457L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2457L-2020-02-11), registration cancelled 2020-02-11, S/N 17255657, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255657
- Airframe hours: 5621
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Piccirilli, Richard
- Registered owner: Piccirilli, Richard
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1991, 5 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: LHU, LAKE HAVASU CIT, AZ
- Airport: L49, Skylark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 243 total, 201 in this make and model, 171 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19910803031399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910803031399A), Aug 3, 1991: Cessna 172H, Lake Elsimore, CA, Substantial damage. Operating at low altitude over Colorado river. Struck power cable. Impact severed nose and main gear.

## Other investigations on N2457L (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 MKC67F0605](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC67F0605), Apr 30, 1967: Cessna 172 (N2457L), Topeka, KS, substantial damage

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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