- Date
- May 7, 1995, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place
- Colusa, CA
- Injuries
- 2 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Maneuvering
- Aircraft
- N7358TCessna 172A
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report November 6, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950507009799A
- Case key
- 29089
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's selection of an inadequate en route cruise altitude for the aerial observation flight, and his failure to identify and stop an inadvertent descent while flying over flooded terrain at a very low altitude. Lack of pilot experience in low level operations and glassy water were factors in this accident.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was on a southeasterly heading when the aircraft crashed into a flooded rice field. He stated that the engine was operating normally at the time of the accident. He also said that he only flies about six times a year and that he was simply not accustomed to flying at such a low altitude and had inadertently flown the aircraft into the glassy water of the flooded field.
Factual narrative
On May 7, 1995, at 1230 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172A, N7358T, was destroyed while maneuvering near Colusa, California. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on an aerial observation flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The private pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated from the Colusa County airport at 1115 on the day of the accident.
At the time of the accident, the pilot stated that he had been on a southeasterly heading at approximately 100 feet agl over a flooded rice field when the aircraft abruptly nosed over and crashed. The pilot stated that the engine was operating normally at the time of the accident. The passenger stated that the aircraft engine quit, restarted, and then quit again prior to impact. The aircraft came to rest in an inverted attitude in about 3 feet of water. Both occupants were able to exit the aircraft unassisted.
The pilot later told Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors that he inadvertently flew the aircraft into the water. He also said that he only flies about six times a year and that he was simply not accustomed to flying at such a low altitude.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N7358T
- Reported as
- Cessna 172A
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 46958
- Engine
- Continental O-300-C, 145 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Aerial observation · Part 91
- Registered owner
- East Colusa Farms
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Departed
- O08
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 60
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Expired
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 300 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- MYV, 24 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.