# NTSB WPR16FAMS1: Cessna 172N, N739ZE, Avalon, CA, May 28, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report - Date: May 28, 2016, 12:57 local (19:57 UTC) - Place: Avalon, CA - Coordinates: 33.403057, -118.409446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4031&lon=-118.4094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 6, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 93325 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR16FAMS1 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93325/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93325 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16FAMS1 ## Probable cause Undetermined because the airplane was not located. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Unknown: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot departed for an instructional flight from an airport on an island en route back to their home airport on the mainland. A review of radar data indicated that the airplane took off with its transponder in the "off" position; therefore, no altitude information was available. The data indicated that, after taking off, the airplane flew north. The track ended 3 minutes later over open water about 5 miles north of the departure airport. After the airplane was reported missing, a search ensued. Although an oil slick consistent with drift models was present in this area, neither the airplane nor the occupants were found. Four minutes before the airplane took off, the reported weather at the departure airport included 9 statute miles visibility and a broken cloud ceiling at 800 ft above ground level (agl); however, the remarks section reported that the ceiling varied between 600 and 1,000 ft agl. In addition, satellite imagery indicated that there was a thick marine layer just north of the airport. ## Factual narrative On May 28, 2016, about 1257 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172 airplane, N739ZE, is presumed to have crashed in the Pacific Ocean about 5 miles north of Avalon, California. The airplane was registered to Libra Air Inc. and operated by Encore Flight Academy as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The certified flight instructor and student pilot have not been located and the airplane is missing; presumed to be destroyed. Both pilots are presumed to be fatally injured. Both instrument and visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area, and no flight plan had been filed. The airplane departed Catalina Airport (AVX), Avalon, California about 1254 and was destined for Van Nuys Airport (VNY), Van Nuys, California. On May 29, 2016, a concerned family member of the student pilot contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) to report their family member missing. They reported that the student pilot went flying with an instructor the day prior, and they have not heard from him since. The LASD contacted Encore Flight Academy, who reported that the accident airplane was not at their facility, nor do they have record of it returning the day prior. The NTSB attempted to contact the operator numerous times, but to no avail; nor did the operator submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1. Review of radar data for the area revealed that the airplane took off from VNY and landed safely at AVX at 1209. At 1254, the airplane took off from AVX with its transponder in the off position and flew north. At 1257 the track ends over the water 5 miles north of AVX. An oil slick consistent with drift models was present in this area. A weather study revealed that at the time of takeoff from VNY, the weather at AVX reported 4 miles visibility, mist, and an overcast ceiling of 300 feet agl. When the airplane arrived at AVX weather indicated 8 miles of visibility and an overcast ceiling of 500 feet agl. Four minutes prior to the airplane departing AVX, weather reported 9 miles of visibility and a broken ceiling at 800 feet agl, however, in the remarks section it reported the ceiling varied between 600 feet agl and 1000 feet agl. In addition, satellite imagery indicated a thick marine layer was just north of AVX, and in the vicinity of the presumed accident location. The U.S. Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol, and private entities conducted a search for the missing airplane along the apparent route of flight; however, no wreckage was found. The pilots and airplane remain missing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N739ZE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739ZE-2017-02-06), registration cancelled 2017-02-06, S/N 17270930, 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: 17270930 - Year built: 1978 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Encore Flight Academy - Registered owner: Libra Air Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: AVX, Avalon, CA - Destination: VNY, Van Nuys, CA - Airport: AVX, Catalina Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 53; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations - Student pilot; age 50; student; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: AVX, 5 nm away ## Other investigations on N739ZE (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 LAX80DXQ09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80DXQ09), Aug 15, 1979: Cessna 172 (N739ZE), Mammoth Lakes, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93325. 2.1 MB in all. - Record of Email - Meteorology (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20-%20Meteorology-Master.PDF - Record of Failed Communication - Encore Flight Academy (item 2, .PDF, 52 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454603&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Failed%20Communication%20-%20Encore%20Flight%20Academy%20-Master.PDF - Record of Email - NTSB Air Traffic Control Specialist (item 3, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40454604&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Email%20-%20NTSB%20Air%20Traffic%20Control%20Specialist-Master.PDF 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.