Cessna 172P N54873

Summary

On 14 December 2017 at about 21:44 local time, a Cessna 172P registered N54873 was involved in an accident near Valley Springs, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 December 2017 at 21:44

Classification

Accident

Location

Valley Springs, California, United States

Nearest airport

Wagon Wheel Ranch Privat Strip (UNK)

Coordinates

38.0861, -120.7586

Aircraft

Cessna 172P

Registration

N54873

Category

Airplane

Year built

1981

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Rancho Murieta → Valley Springs

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR18CA048

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering for landing and his decision to land on a surface with obstructions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The two commercial pilots reported that the purpose of the flight was to identify suitable emergency landing sites in the area. They located a small private airport, and they decided to make a landing. The right-seat pilot took control and made a low pass over the runway and saw piles of gravel blocking half the width of the runway. He decided to attempt a short-field landing. While maneuvering for landing, the airplane was in a left bank turn when the wing collided with a tree. The pilot applied rudder control and thought about going around but decided against it due to trees blocking the runway. He entered the airplane into a left-wing-down slip as he tried to keep the airplane as level as possible. The airplane touched down on the right landing gear, and the right wing dug into the dirt. The airplane subsequently came to rest inverted. During the accident sequence, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, empennage, and wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Neither pilot submitted the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Form 6120.1.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.