# NTSB LAX94LA061: Cessna 172P, N65922, Panoche, CA, November 28, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 27, 1993, 16:45 local (Nov 28, 1993, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Panoche, CA - Coordinates: 36.890407, -121.239364 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8904&lon=-121.2394&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 September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28611 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA061 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28611/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA061 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper approach speed and glide path, and his delayed initiation of a go-around. A factor in the accident was the wind shear condition created by the hills immediately off the departure end of the dirt airstrip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - airspeed(vref) - excessive, pilot in command (cause) - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command - stall/mush - intentional, pilot in command ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was high and fast during the approach to the ranch airstrip. He said the aircraft was still 100 feet above the ground and about halfway down the 2,700 foot long dirt airstrip when he initiated a go-around toward the hills immediately off the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that the aircraft encountered a down draft and was only climbing at about 200 feet per minute. The aircraft could not outclimb the rising terrain and the pilot said he intentionally stalled the aircraft into the trees about one-half mile beyond the airstrip. ## Factual narrative On November 27, 1993, at 1645 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172P, N65922, collided with trees during an attempted go-around from a private ranch airstrip near Panoche, California. The aircraft was rented from Squadron Two Flying Club, Inc., of San Jose, California, for the personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries; however, his three passengers were not injured. The flight originated at the San Jose International Airport on the day of the mishap at 1545 hours as a planned flight to the Bum Ranch near Panoche. In his written statement, the pilot reported that he was high and fast during the approach to the ranch airstrip. He said the aircraft was still 100 feet above the ground and about halfway down the 2,700 foot long dirt airstrip when he initiated a go- around toward the hills immediately off the departure end of the runway. The pilot stated that the aircraft encountered a down draft and was only climbing at about 200 feet per minute. The aircraft could not out climb the rising terrain and the pilot said he intentionally stalled the aircraft into the trees about one-half mile beyond the airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65922](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65922-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 17275922, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P - 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: 17275922 - Airframe hours: 6227 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Squadron Two Flying Club, Inc. - Registered owner: Gary W. Niva - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 24, 1993, 115 hours before - Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA - Airport: NONE, Bumb Ranch Airstrip, runway 9, 2,700 × 60 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 117 total, 18 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 10 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °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 19931128044679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931128044679A), Nov 28, 1993: Cessna 172P, Panoche, CA, Substantial damage. Too high and downwind elected to go around. Unable outclimb terrain. Stalled 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. --- 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.