# NTSB LAX96LA278: Cessna 172, N1958D, Midas, NV, July 19, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 19, 1996, 11:34 local (18:34 UTC) - Place: Midas, NV - Coordinates: 41.040512, -117.179893 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0405&lon=-117.1799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29513 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA278 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29513/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA278 ## Probable cause the decision of the pilot to perform a low-level steep turn which resulted in an inadvertent loss of control and subsequent stall/spin. Factors were high density altitude and inadequate altitude for recovery. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - low altitude flight/maneuver - performed, pilot in command (cause) - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - high terrain - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane entered a steep turn at a low altitude in preparation for an off-airport landing. The pilot inadvertently stalled the airplane with insufficient altitude for recovery. The elevation of the landing area was about 5,500 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On July 19, 1996, at 1134 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172, N1958D, collided with terrain after an in-flight loss of control near Midas, Nevada. The airplane was destroyed by postimpact fire. The pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The accident airplane was one of two flying from McCall, Idaho, to Perris, California, with undetermined en route stops. The other airplane was being flown by the accident pilot's father. The father's airplane was experiencing engine problems and the father made an off-airport precautionary landing in an open field. The father stated that he got out of the airplane with the engine problem and expected his son to land. He observed his son's airplane in a steep turn at a low altitude. He reported that his son appeared to lose control and descend until impacting the ground. The elevation of the accident area was about 5,500 feet mean sea level (msl). The density altitude was estimated to be in excess of 7,000 feet msl at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1958D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1958D-1997-01-21), registration cancelled 1997-01-21, S/N 36519 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172 - Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 36519 - Engines: Continental O-300A 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wolff, Siegfried J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MYL, MCCALL, ID - Destination: L65, PERRIS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 120 total, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BOI, 177 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 19960719018819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960719018819A), Jul 19, 1996: Cessna 172, Midas, NV, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flight of 2. First craft had engine problem. Landed open field. Other plane stalled circling area. High density alt (.19) on July 19, 1996, at 1134 hours… 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.