# NTSB LAX95LA323: Cessna 172N, N739NN, Big Bear, CA, June 10, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 10, 1995, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Big Bear, CA - Coordinates: 34.259441, -116.839149 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2594&lon=-116.8391&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29208 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA323 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29208/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA323 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff attempt, which was necessitated by his failure to properly lean the fuel mixture. The pilot's limited experience in small piston engine airplanes was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - aborted - weather condition - high density altitude - mixture - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airspeed(vlof) - not attained, pilot in command - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis THE OPERATOR STATED THAT NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED OR CLAIMED BY THE PILOT. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A TOUCH AND GO AT THE MOUNTAIN RESORT AIRPORT AND TOUCHED DOWN IN THE FIRST THIRD OF THE RUNWAY. HE APPLIED FULL POWER, RETRACTED THE FLAPS, AND SET THE MIXTURE CONTROL TO FULL RICH. DURING THE GROUND ROLL, THE PILOT DECIDED THAT INSUFFICIENT RUNWAY REMAINED TO COMPLETE THE TAKEOFF AND HE ABORTED. THE AIRCRAFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE BIG BEAR AIRPORT IS AT 6,748 FEET MEAN SEA LEVEL, AND THE RUNWAY IS 5,850 FEET LONG. THE DENSITY WAS ESTIMATED AT 8,900 FEET. THE PILOT IS A MILITARY AVIATOR ASSIGNED TO FLY LARGE TURBINE POWERED HELICOPTERS. HE HAS LIMITED EXPERIENCE WITH SMALL PISTON ENGINE AIRPLANES. ## Factual narrative On June 10, 1995, at 0820 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172N, N739NN, collided with ground obstructions following a loss of directional control during a rejected takeoff attempt at the Big Bear, California, airport. The aircraft was operated by the El Toro Marine Aero Club, MCAS El Toro, California, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions. A visual flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from MCAS El Toro on the day of the accident at 0730. The accident was reported to the Safety Board on August 17, 1995. The operator's completed written accident report stated that no mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified or claimed by the pilot. The pilot attempted a touch and go at the Big Bear airport and touched down in the first third of the runway. He applied full power, retracted the flaps, and set the mixture control to full rich. During the ground roll, the pilot decided that insufficient runway remained to complete the takeoff and he aborted. The pilot lost directional control, veered off the runway, and collided with a drainage ditch. The Big Bear airport is at 6,748 feet mean sea level, and the runway is 5,580 feet long. The density was estimated at 8,900 feet. The pilot is a military aviator assigned to fly large turbine powered helicopters. He has limited experience with small piston engine airplanes. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739NN](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N739NN), registered now, S/N 17270675, built 1978 (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: 17270675 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: El Toro Marine Aero Club - Registered owner: Marie Hoefer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1995, 43 hours before - Departed: NZJ, MCAS EL TORO, CA - Destination: L35 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 26, 5,850 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 565 total, 15 in this make and model, 333 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °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 19950610016379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950610016379A), Jun 10, 1995: Cessna 172N, Big Bear, CA, Substantial damage. Narrative: pilot was on a VFR cross country with a planned enroute destination of Big Bear City Airport (L35). Aircraft was maneuvered for a touch and go… 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.