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NTSB Report
August 6, 1989 · Cessna 172H · N2667L
Dana Point, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Dana Point, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172H
Tail Number
N2667L
Operator
Shirley Joseph A
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89LA262
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING SLOW CIRCLES, COUNTER CLOCKWISE, WHEN THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED AND THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE THEN ROSE TO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB AND THE AIRPLANE 'SLOWLY LOOPED' OVER ONTO ITS BACK AND THEN DOVE NEAR VERTICALLY WHILE SLOWLY ROTATING 180 DEGREES AND STRIKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN NOSE FIRST. WITNESSES STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED MAKING NOISE UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WATER. THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 500 FT AGL WHILE CIRCLING AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 800 FT AGL BEFORE STALLING.
NTSB Probable Cause
PILOT-IN-COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE IN MANEUVERING FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING SLOW CIRCLES, COUNTER CLOCKWISE, WHEN THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED AND THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE THEN ROSE TO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB AND THE AIRPLANE 'SLOWLY LOOPED' OVER ONTO ITS BACK AND THEN DOVE NEAR VERTICALLY WHILE SLOWLY ROTATING 180 DEGREES AND STRIKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN NOSE FIRST. WITNESSES STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED MAKING NOISE UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WATER. THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 500 FT AGL WHILE CIRCLING AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 800 FT AGL BEFORE STALLING.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:10 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172H
Tail NumberN2667L
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorShirley Joseph A
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 43 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 8 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT