# NTSB WPR24LA078: Cessna 172L, N7250Q, Grass Valley, CA, January 18, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 18, 2024, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC) - Place: Grass Valley, CA · airport environment - Coordinates: 39.224056, -121.00255 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2241&lon=-121.0025&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 193693 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA078 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193693/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193693 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA078 ## Probable cause Loss of control during the landing roll due to a malfunctioning brake for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained; cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Cessna 172L, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2072432), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll, he applied the brakes to slow down; however, the left brake did not function properly, and the airplane veered to the right of the runway. The pilot attempted aerodynamic braking and used full left rudder in an attempt to return the airplane to the runway centerline. The airplane continued to the right down an embankment, nosed over, and came to rest inverted. Review of accident site photographs showed impressions from all three-landing gear in the dirt adjacent to the runway, with the right landing gear showing a more pronounced indentation in the dirt. due to heavy braking on the right side it is likely the right brake locked up. A postaccident examination of the brakes revealed improper retaining bolts securing the brake calipers; however, both brakes functioned normally. No other mechanical anomalies were found that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On January 18, 2024, about 1240 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172L, N7250Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Grass Valley, California. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that his flight to Nevada County Airport (GOO), Grass Valley, and the subsequent approach and touchdown were normal. During the landing roll on runway 25, as he applied the brakes to slow down and exit the runway, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot stated that the left brake did not function. The airplane slowed to less than 35 mph as it traveled past the taxiway turn . The pilot stated that the engine was at an idle power setting, and he attempted the use of aerodynamic braking to stop the airplane, which he believed would stop before the end of the runway. The pilot stated that he “got off the brakes,” and attempted to correct back to runway centerline with the application of full left rudder pedal. The airplane continued to veer to the right, exited the right side of the runway, traveled over an embankment, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings, vertical stabilizer, rudder, and propeller. A review of photographs provided by the Federal Aviation Administration, showed that all three-landing gear had left impressions in the soft dirt adjacent to the runway. The right main landing gear impression exhibited a more pronounced indention mark in the dirt than the left main and nose landing gears. A postaccident examination of the brake system revealed improper retaining hardware bolts securing the backplates of the left and right brake calipers. Both brakes were manipulated by the rudder pedals and when activated were “firm” and functioned normally. Examination of the nose landing gear oleo strut showed the torque links were not contacting the centering block on the strut housing. The left and right steer rods were attached and had continuity with the left and right rudder pedals. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7250Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7250Q), registered now, S/N 17260550, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17260550 - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 14218 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2023 - Departed: MCC, Sacramento, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: GOO, Nevada County, runway 25, 4,657 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, ADS-B, Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,988 total, 1,480 in this make and model, 1,970 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: KGOO - METAR: KGOO 182035Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 11/00 A3007 RMK A01 ## 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 20240118000439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240118000439A), Jan 18, 2024: Cessna 172L, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported in a written statement that he flew from the mcclellan airport to the Grass Valley airport and upon landing on the second attempt he found… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193693. 8.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 4.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16821014&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20WPR24LA078_Redacted-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16820826&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16820484&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR24LA078%20Photos-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. --- 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.