# NTSB LAX93LA298: Cessna 172, N51409, Vacaville, CA, July 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 24, 1993, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.409877, -122.010665 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4099&lon=-122.0107&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27985
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA298
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27985/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA298

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY FAILING TO ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR THE ROTOR WASH TO DISSIPATE BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE APPROACH.  THE WAKE TURBULENCE (ROTOR WASH) WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE LOCAL CONTROLLER CLEARED THE FLIGHT FOR A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 20 TO FOLLOW A LARGE HELICOPTER. THE CONTROLLER CAUTIONED THE PILOT OF POSSIBLE EXISTING WAKE TURBULENCE.  WHILE NEARING THE THRESHOLD THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOME TURBULENCE AND THE PILOT INITIATED A GO AROUND.  DURING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED MORE SEVERE TURBULENCE AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND SKIDDED TO A STOP.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51409](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51409-2011-05-19), registration cancelled 2011-05-19, S/N 17274309, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274309
- Airframe hours: 3101
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Flight Services
- Registered owner: Loosley, Wilfred & Rodney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 22, 1993, 8 hours before
- Airport: O45, Nut Tree, runway 20, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,152 total, 325 in this make and model, 2,124 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °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 19930724025409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930724025409A), Jul 24, 1993: Cessna 172P, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Too close on landing approach to a chinook helicopter. Lost control in its wake. Rolled and hit terrain.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.