# NTSB LAX96LA255: Cessna 172, N6819H, Frazier Park, CA, June 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1996, 11:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Frazier Park, CA - Coordinates: 34.800338, -119.010635 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8003&lon=-119.0106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29491 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA255 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29491/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA255 ## Probable cause the failure of the pilot to maintain terrain clearance after a misjudged approach and landing that necessitated a go-around and subsequent collision with some wires. Factors were high density altitude and an inadequate evaluation by the pilot-in-command of the weather conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - uphill - object - wire,transmission - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - selected, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot entered a left traffic pattern to land on the dirt strip. He touched down long and elected to go-around. The terrain off the departure end of the dirt runway rose gradually. The pilot used full power and retracted the flaps from full down to an intermediate setting. He then began a left turn airplane to fly downslope and increase the airplane's height above the ground. While in the turn, the airplane struck wires and crashed. The density altitude was about 8,000 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1996, at 1130 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6819H, collided with wires during a go-around after an aborted landing at a private airstrip located near Frazier Park, California. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the certificated private pilot and sole passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot/owner as a personal flight. The flight originated in Tehachapi, California, about 1100 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot entered a left traffic pattern to land on the dirt strip. He indicated he touched down long on the dirt strip and elected to go-around. The terrain off the departure end of the dirt runway rose gradually. The pilot used full power and retracted the flaps from full down to an intermediate setting. He stated he began a left turn to fly downslope and increase the airplane's height above the ground. While in the turn, the airplane struck wires and descended into the ground. The pilot cited high density altitude as a limitation, and said there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane. The elevation of the airstrip is 5,160 msl and the pilot reported the temperature as 90 degrees Fahrenheit. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6819H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6819H-1999-02-16), registration cancelled 1999-02-16, S/N 17265595 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 172-65595 - Airframe hours: 3465 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George W. Novinger - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: TSP, TEHACHAPI, CA - Airport: 04L, Conover Air Lodge ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,992 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 1,988 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19960630015599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960630015599A), Jun 30, 1996: Cessna 172M, Frazier Park, CA, Substantial damage. Landed long on dirt strip. Began go around. Struck wires banking to avoid rising terrain. Density altitude factor. ## Other investigations on N6819H (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 LAX77DUQ29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77DUQ29), May 19, 1977: Cessna 172M (N6819H), Santa Ynez, CA, substantial damage 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.