# NTSB WPR23LA082: Cessna 172, N7181A, Watsonville, CA, January 1, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: January 1, 2023, 14:40, time zone not recorded
- Place: Watsonville, CA · KWVI
- Coordinates: 36.935733, -121.78963
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9357&lon=-121.7896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 106536
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106536/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106536
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA082

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a go around.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 19 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Cessna 172, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=2072402), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The student pilot reported that, she initiated a go around when she realized that she was low while on final approach. During the go around, the airplane struck powerlines, impacted terrain, and came to rest nose down. The right wing and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7181A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7181A), registered now, S/N 29281, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 29281
- Year built: 1956
- Engines: Continental O-300-A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Warmkessel James R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville Muni, runway 20, 4,502 × 149 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 73; injuries: serious; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 183 total, 168 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.83 inHg
- Observed at: KWVI
- METAR: METAR KWVI 012253Z AUTO 18004KT 10SM CLR 14/03 A2983 RMK AO2 SLP102 T01440028=

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106536. 2.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14999581&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20WPR23LA082_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 365 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14999793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Docket%20photo%20WPR23LA082-Rel.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.

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