# NTSB LAX93LA230: Cessna 172M, N12857, Turlock, CA, May 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1993, 19:10 local (May 29, 1993, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Turlock, CA
- Location: 37.4875° N, 120.6796° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from TURLOCK MUNI (O15), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4875&lon=-120.6796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA230

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE AT CRUISE FLIGHT THE PILOT NOTICED BOTH FUEL GAUGES INDICATING NEARLY EMPTY.  THE PILOT FLEW TO THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO REFUEL.  THE PILOT MADE TWO APPROACHES TO THE AIRPORT, BUT BOTH APPROACHES WERE TOO HIGH. THE PILOT REENTERED THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AND BEGAN THE DESCENT WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG AT MIDFIELD. DURING THE TURN ONTO THE BASE LEG THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED AND INADVERTENTLY STALLED THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12857](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12857-2004-02-06), registration cancelled 2004-02-06, S/N 17262316, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262316
- Airframe hours: 5957
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sacramento Aero Club
- Registered owner: Sacramento Aero Services, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 9, 1993, 103 hours before
- Departed: 3O8, COALINGA, CA
- Destination: Q96, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: O15, Turlock Muni, runway 3, 2,985 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 800 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19930528015579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930528015579A), May 28, 1993: Cessna 172M, Turlock, CA, Destroyed. Too high twice for landing. Banked sharply for another runway and entered accelerated stall. Fell into trees.

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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