# NTSB LAX94LA218: Cessna 172, N8246B, Santa Ana, CA, May 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1994, 16:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.670867, -117.900566 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6709&lon=-117.9006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA218

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.  A factor in the accident was the pilot's limited experience in conventional gear aircraft.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he made a normal main wheel touchdown on runway 19L.  During the landing rollout, he lost directional control and the aircraft ground looped off the runway, damaging the left wing, wheel, and stabilizer.  The pilot reported that he had only 15 hours of total experience in conventional gear aircraft.

## Factual narrative

On May 8, 1994, at 1640 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Cessna 172, N8246B, ground looped on landing at John Wayne Airport, Santa Ana, California.  The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, was on a local area personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation.  The aircraft sustained substantial wing and fuselage damage.  The certificated commercial pilot and the two passengers on board were not injured.  The flight originated at the John Wayne Airport on the day of the mishap at 1550 hours.

In a verbal statement, the pilot reported that he made a normal main wheel touchdown on runway 19L.  During the landing rollout, he lost directional control and the aircraft ground looped off the runway, damaging the left wing, wheel, and stabilizer.  The pilot reported that he had only 15 hours of total experience in conventional gear aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8246B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8246B), registered now, S/N 36046, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36046
- Airframe hours: 2867
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wise, Jeffrey A.
- Registered owner: Wise, Jeffrey A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1993, 87 hours before
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne, runway 19L, 5,700 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 813 total, 15 in this make and model, 702 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA

## 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 19940508038309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940508038309A), May 8, 1994: Cessna STC172, Santa Ana, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped the converted tailwheel 172 on landing. Minimal time in tail wheel type.

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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