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NTSB Report
October 2, 1988 · Cessna 172M · N20680
Auberry, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 2, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Location
Auberry, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N20680
Operator
Ronald a Nadler
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA004
THE PILOT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN AND CIRCLED TO FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH THE TERRAIN. HE THEN MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE DIRT RUNWAY AND CIRCLED TO LAND. THE FIRST ATTEMPT WAS DISCONTINUED BECAUSE THE PILOT FELT THAT HE AS TOO HIGH AND TOO FAST. HE WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THE SECOND ATTEMPT, BUT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HE DECIDED TO GO AROUND DURING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT PERFORM WELL ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS UNFAMILIAR WITH THE AREA THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND IN AND CIRCLED TO FAMILIARIZE HIMSELF WITH THE TERRAIN. HE THEN MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE DIRT RUNWAY AND CIRCLED TO LAND. THE FIRST ATTEMPT WAS DISCONTINUED BECAUSE THE PILOT FELT THAT HE AS TOO HIGH AND TOO FAST. HE WAS COMFORTABLE WITH THE SECOND ATTEMPT, BUT JUST BEFORE TOUCHDOWN, HE DECIDED TO GO AROUND DURING THE GO AROUND THE AIRPLANE COULD NOT PERFORM WELL ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE GROUND AND THEN CAUGHT FIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:23 PDT
Nearest AirportTopham'S Ranch (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length1900 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN20680
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRonald a Nadler
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (1 serious injury, 2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind320° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 25000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC