# NTSB LAX92LA342: Cessna 172, N2781E, Van Nuys, CA, July 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1992, 15:35 local (22:35 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.190574, -118.489395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1906&lon=-118.4894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27725
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27725/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA342

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CHECKLIST TO ASSURE THAT THE TRIM TAB WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION AND FAILURE TO FOLLOW NORMAL PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, MISREADING OF THE TRIM SETTING, AND EXESSIVE NOSE DOWN ELEVATOR TRIM TAB.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - checklist - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - flare - misread, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE NONCERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT WAS DEPARTING ON A LOCAL SOLO FLIGHT. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE STUDENT PILOT IMPROPERLY USED THE CHECKLIST AND FAILED TO DETERMINE THE TRIM TAB POSITION.  ON LIFTOFF WITH THE TRIM TAB IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE PROPER ELEVATOR CONTROL.  THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO RESET THE TRIM AFTER REACHING ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE GROUND AND ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS UNABLE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE AND LANDED HARD ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL AND NOSE GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2781E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2781E-1994-11-10), registration cancelled 1994-11-10, S/N 17271320 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-71320
- Airframe hours: 5467
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: San Val Flying Service
- Registered owner: Silk, Brian P.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 12, 1992, 79 hours before
- Departed: VNY
- Destination: VNY
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 92 total, 89 in this make and model, 19 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °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 19920726030829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920726030829A), Jul 26, 1992: Cessna 172N, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Set trim full nose down in error for takeoff. Unable raise nose to climb. Aborted. Hit nose first. Bent airframe.

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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