# NTSB LAX94LA231: Cessna 172N, N6305J, Roosevelt, AZ, May 31, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1994, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Roosevelt, AZ - Coordinates: 33.620716, -111.030624 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6207&lon=-111.0306&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 14, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28753 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA231 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28753/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA231 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an inadequate terrain clearance altitude while maneuvering over a lake. A factor in the accident was the calm glassy water conditions which may have affected the pilot's perception of his actual height above the water. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering - terrain condition - water,glassy - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering ## Analysis The pilot reported that he made a low pass over a private airstrip next to a lake, but does not remember the accident sequence. Witnesses in boats stated that the aircraft made a low pass over the airstrip, then flew out over the lake surface at an agl altitude estimated at 50 feet. The aircraft flew for about a mile over the water, then was observed to begin a turn. The left wing tip contacted the water and the aircraft cartwheeled into the lake. One witness was an FAA airframe and powerplant mechanic who works on general aviation aircraft. He reported that the engine sounded strong and normal during the accident sequence from the time the aircraft left the airstrip until it crashed into the lake. The airframe wreckage was recovered from the lake and examined. Control system continuity was established. The engine separated from the airframe during the impact sequence and was not recovered. The witnesses stated that the lake surface was glassy smooth. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1994, at 0820 mountain standard time, a Cessna 172N, N6305J, collided with the water while maneuvering and sank in Lake Roosevelt, Arizona. The aircraft was operated by Venture Aviation, Inc., of Chandler, Arizona, and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence. The certificated commercial pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger incurred fatal injuries. The flight originated from the Chandler, Arizona, airport on the day of the mishap at 0745 hours. In a verbal statement to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, the pilot reported that he was taking his passenger for a scenic flight over several of the recreational lake areas around Phoenix. The pilot stated that he made a low altitude pass over the U. S. Forest Service lakeside airstrip at Lake Roosevelt with no thought of landing. The pilot noted that he often flies this same scenic route with friends and, after the low pass over the airstrip, he continues over the lake to the dam and proceeds back to the airport. In his written and oral statements, the pilot reported that he remembered making the low pass over the airstrip lake, but does not remember the accident sequence. Witnesses in boats stated that the aircraft made a low pass over the airstrip, then flew out over the lake surface at an agl altitude estimated at 50 feet. The aircraft flew for about a mile over the water, then was observed to begin a turn. The left wing tip contacted the water and the aircraft cartwheeled into the lake. The pilot reported that he was able to undo his seatbelt and extricate himself from the aircraft as it sank. The pilot stated that after he unlatched his seatbelt he turned to help his passenger, but she was not there. One witness to the complete accident sequence was an FAA certified airframe and powerplant mechanic who works on general aviation aircraft. He reported that the engine sounded strong and normal during the accident sequence from the time the aircraft left the airstrip until it crashed into the lake. All of the witnesses stated that the lake surface was glassy smooth. The airframe wreckage was recovered from the lake and examined. Control system continuity was established to and from the point where the control cables were severed by recovery personnel. The flap actuator was found in the "up" position. The pilot's seat remained on the seat rails without apparent damage to the legs, feet, or rails. The seatback was deformed in a rearward direction. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner reported that the passenger's cause of death was drowning. The right front passenger seat was not recovered from the lake. Divers who recovered the passengers body reported that she was in the seat, which was found loose in the rear of the aircraft cabin. The divers reported that the seatbelts had to be cut to extricate the victim. The seat rails for the right front seat were noted to be intact and without deformation. The engine separated from the airframe during the impact sequence and was not recovered. Extensive efforts over 3 days by divers and surface craft using side scan sonar and metal detectors failed to locate the engine mass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6305J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6305J-2000-03-28), registration cancelled 2000-03-28, S/N 17273859 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17273859 - Airframe hours: 2497 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Venture Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Venture Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, May 19, 1994, 12 hours before - Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ - Destination: P10 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 502 total, 111 in this make and model, 422 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19940531013149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940531013149A), May 31, 1994: Cessna 172N, Roosevelt, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Wing tip hit lake water during a low altitude turn on sight seeing flight. Aircraft cartwheeled and sank. ## Other investigations on N6305J (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX80DUJ93](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DUJ93), Aug 26, 1980: Cessna 172N (N6305J), Florence, AZ, substantial damage 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.