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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 24, 1993 · Cessna 172 · N51409

Vacaville, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Vacaville, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N51409
Operator
Pacific Flight Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA298

THE LOCAL CONTROLLER CLEARED THE FLIGHT FOR A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 20 TO FOLLOW A LARGE HELICOPTER. THE CONTROLLER CAUTIONED THE PILOT OF POSSIBLE EXISTING WAKE TURBULENCE. WHILE NEARING THE THRESHOLD THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOME TURBULENCE AND THE PILOT INITIATED A GO AROUND. DURING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED MORE SEVERE TURBULENCE AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND SKIDDED TO A STOP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY FAILING TO ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR THE ROTOR WASH TO DISSIPATE BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE APPROACH. THE WAKE TURBULENCE (ROTOR WASH) WAS A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE LOCAL CONTROLLER CLEARED THE FLIGHT FOR A STRAIGHT IN APPROACH TO RUNWAY 20 TO FOLLOW A LARGE HELICOPTER. THE CONTROLLER CAUTIONED THE PILOT OF POSSIBLE EXISTING WAKE TURBULENCE. WHILE NEARING THE THRESHOLD THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED SOME TURBULENCE AND THE PILOT INITIATED A GO AROUND. DURING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED MORE SEVERE TURBULENCE AND COULD NOT CONTROL THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND SKIDDED TO A STOP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE FROM 180 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 PDT
Nearest AirportNUTTREE (0nm N)
Runway20
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN51409
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPacific Flight Services
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2J · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 10 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

External Links

Appendix: Source Data