# NTSB LAX94LA238: Cessna 172N, N734ZK, Valencia, CA, June 4, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 4, 1994, 15:20 local (22:20 UTC) - Place: Valencia, CA - Coordinates: 34.409988, -118.560623 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4100&lon=-118.5606&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 14, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28759 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA238 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28759/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA238 ## Probable cause the pilot's selection of an unsuitable field for an off-airport landing and attempted takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - soft - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis In a statement to responding county sheriff's deputies, the pilot said that while returning to the airport he experienced a compelling physiological need and landed the aircraft in an open dirt field. During the takeoff ground roll, the aircraft encountered soft soil and nosed over. In his written statement to the Safety Board, the pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll just prior to rotation, the engine started to run rough. The pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff and could not stop prior to encountering a plowed area of the field. The engine was removed from the aircraft and taken to an engine repair facility. The engine was installed in a test cell, where it started on the first attempt and ran smoothly throughout all normal power ranges. ## Factual narrative On June 4, 1994, at 1520 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N734ZK, nosed over after encountering soft soil during a takeoff attempt from a field near Valencia, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by Konski Air of Van Nuys, California, 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 incurred substantial damage. The certificated private pilot and the one passenger on board sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from the Van Nuys airport on the day of the accident at 1400 as a local area flight. In a statement to responding Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, the pilot said that while returning to the Van Nuys airport he experienced a compelling physiological need and landed the aircraft in an open dirt field. During the takeoff ground roll, the aircraft encountered soft soil and nosed over. In his written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll just prior to rotation, the engine started to run rough. The pilot reported that he aborted the takeoff and could not stop prior to encountering a plowed area of the field. The engine was removed from the aircraft and taken to an engine repair facility in Long Beach, California. The engine was installed in a test cell, where it started on the first attempt and ran smoothly throughout all normal power ranges. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N734ZK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734ZK), registered now, S/N 17269243, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 69243 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Konski, Yehiam, doing business as Konski Air - Registered owner: Konski, Yehiam - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 129 total, 29 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VNY, 8 nm away ## 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 19940604013899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940604013899A), Jun 4, 1994: Cessna 172N, Valencia, CA, Substantial damage. Landed in field due physiologial need. Nosed over on attempted takeoff due soft soil. ## Other investigations on N734ZK (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 WPR26FA330](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26FA330), Sep 8, 2026: Cessna 172N (N734ZK), San Diego, CA, destroyed, 2 fatal, investigation ongoing 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.