Cessna 172B N4672L

Summary

On 18 April 2001 at about 20:30 local time, a Cessna 172B registered N4672L was involved in an accident near Lancaster, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 April 2001 at 20:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Lancaster, California, United States

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Cessna 172B

Registration

N4672L

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Camarillo → Rosamond

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX01LA149

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's delay reversing course while flying toward rising terrain in a box canyon. Factors in the accident included a downdraft on the lee side of a ridge forming the box canyon, high density altitude, and the pilot's improper use of flaps.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot attempted to climb the airplane into rising terrain in a box canyon. Surface wind at 18 knots with gusts to 24 knots formed a downdraft on the lee side of a ridge forming one side of the canyon. The density altiude was 5,000 feet. The pilot reported the aircraft "experienced involuntary descent" and despite full engine power the aircraft was "unable to gain/maintain altiude resulting in [a] forced landing." He also reported he "put in a little flap to keep from settling." No mechanical anomalies were found with the airplane.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.