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NTSB Report
December 26, 1990 · Cessna 172N · N5258D
Yucca Valley, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 26, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Yucca Valley, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N5258D
Operator
Cableair
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA060
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE UNICOM ON THE CTAF FOR AN AIRPORT TRAFFIC ADVISORY BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PILOT THEN ASSUMED THAT THE LANDING RUNWAY WAS 24 AND HE SET UP AN APPROACH ACCORDINGLY. THE ACTIVE RUNWAY HOWEVER WAS 06, AND THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 030 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS. AFTER PASSING OVER THE THRESHOLD THE AIRPLANE'S STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND AND INADVERTENTLY FULLY RETRACTED THE FLAPS. REALIZING HIS MISTAKE THE PILOT LOWERED THE FLAPS, BUT THE AIRPLANE STALLED, SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING ON THE NOSE GEAR AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE FLAPS. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LOSS OF CONTROL DURING TAILWIND LANDING, AND HIS TAILWIND AND THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE INFLIGHT PLANNING.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT THE UNICOM ON THE CTAF FOR AN AIRPORT TRAFFIC ADVISORY BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PILOT THEN ASSUMED THAT THE LANDING RUNWAY WAS 24 AND HE SET UP AN APPROACH ACCORDINGLY. THE ACTIVE RUNWAY HOWEVER WAS 06, AND THE SURFACE WINDS WERE 030 DEGREES AT 15 KNOTS. AFTER PASSING OVER THE THRESHOLD THE AIRPLANE'S STALL WARNING HORN SOUNDED. THE PILOT ELECTED TO GO-AROUND AND INADVERTENTLY FULLY RETRACTED THE FLAPS. REALIZING HIS MISTAKE THE PILOT LOWERED THE FLAPS, BUT THE AIRPLANE STALLED, SUSTAINED A HARD LANDING ON THE NOSE GEAR AND NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:50 PST
Nearest AirportYucca Valley (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length3686 ft
Runway Width90 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN5258D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorCableair
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind15 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO