# NTSB WPR20CA055: Cessna 175, N7095M, Elk, CA, December 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2019, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Elk, CA - Coordinates: 39.128612, -123.715835 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1286&lon=-123.7158&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 100757 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100757/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100757 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA055 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to arrest the descent rate during an aborted simulated engine-out approach, which resulted in impact with vegetation and a subsequent cartwheel. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 175, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072502), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after he completed an aerial observation flight, he decided to conduct a simulated engine-out approach to an open field. When the airplane was about 40 ft above ground level, the pilot aborted the approach by applying full engine power and elevator backpressure. The descent was not immediately arrested, but the airplane seemed to be accelerating. As the airplane continued to descend, it slipped left, and the left main landing gear struck a bush, which induced more left yaw and loss of lift. Subsequently, the wing struck vegetation and terrain, and the airplane then cartwheeled and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after he completed an aerial observation flight, he decided to conduct a simulated engine out approach to an open field. When the airplane was about 40 ft above ground level, the pilot aborted the approach by applying full engine power and elevator backpressure. The pilot stated that the descent was not immediately arrested, but the airplane seemed to be accelerating. As the airplane continued to descend, it slipped to the left and the left main landing gear struck a bush which induced more left yaw and loss of lift. Subsequently the wing struck vegetation and terrain and the airplane cartwheeled before it came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7095M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7095M-2020-03-11), registration cancelled 2020-03-11, S/N 55395, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 175 (Undesignat) - Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental GO-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-go-300-series) (registry code 17024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 55395 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 2990 - Engines: Teledyne continental IO-360-C 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 5, 2019, 30 hours before - Departed: KLLR, Lttle River, CA - Destination: O69, Petaluma, CA - Airport: LLR, Little River - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 296.6 total, 186.3 in this make and model, 201 as pilot in command, 14.6 in the last 90 days, 1.7 in the last 30 days, 1.1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Temperature: 59 °F - Observed at: LLR, 12 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 20191231019759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191231019759A), Dec 31, 2019: Cessna 175, Elk, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot utilizing private mowed strip to practice power off landing approach. Steady 8 knot headwind dissipated as aircraft descended behind a small rise. Pilot… ## Other investigations on N7095M (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 SEA72DYC23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYC23), Nov 13, 1971: Cessna 175 (N7095M), Condon, OR, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 14, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100757. 4.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo Array (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.