# NTSB LAX95LA181: Cessna 172A, N7358T, Colusa, CA, May 7, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 7, 1995, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Colusa, CA
- Coordinates: 39.270538, -122.050735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2705&lon=-122.0507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29089
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29089/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA181

## 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

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - water,glassy (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7358T-2021-06-03), registration cancelled 2021-06-03, S/N 46958, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46958
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19950507009799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950507009799A), May 7, 1995: Cessna 172A, Colusa, CA, Destroyed. Surveying flooded rice field accidently flew into water surface. Flipped over. Lacked recent flight time.

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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