# NTSB LAX95LA002: Cessna 172M, N5061R, Coalinga, CA, October 8, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1994, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Coalinga, CA
- Coordinates: 36.18959, -120.390594 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1896&lon=-120.3906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA002

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain a proper glide path.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OF THE AIRCRAFT OR THE ENGINE. HE REPORTED THAT ON SHORT FINAL HE ENCOUNTERED A DOWNDRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER A SHORT ROLL IN THE DIRT, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE RAISED ASPHALT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. GROUND WITNESSES AT THE AIRPORT STATED THAT THE WINDS WERE CALM.

## Factual narrative

On October 8, 1994, at 1320 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172M, N5061R, collided with a berm during a landing undershoot at the Harris Ranch airport, Coalinga, California.  The aircraft was operated by the pilot and was on a cross-country personal operation.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and included calm winds.  No flight plan was filed.  The aircraft incurred substantial damage.  Neither the certificated private pilot nor his two passengers were injured.  The flight originated at the Camarillo, California, airport on the day of the accident at 1210 with a destination of the Harris Ranch airport.

In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the aircraft or the engine.  He reported that on short final he encountered a downdraft and the aircraft touched down short of the runway.  After a short roll in the dirt, the aircraft collided with the raised asphalt of the runway and nosed over.

The pilot declined to complete a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5061R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5061R-2003-05-28), registration cancelled 2003-05-28, S/N 17263299, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17263299
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Todd M. Gordon
- Registered owner: Six One Romeo Flyers
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Destination: 3O8, CA
- Airport: 308, Harris Ranch, runway 32, 2,820 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 594 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19941008034349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941008034349A), Oct 8, 1994: Cessna 172M, Coalinga, CA, Substantial damage. Landed short of runway. Struck raised runway lip. Nosed over. Failed to check sink rate on final.

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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