Cessna 172L accident near Rosamond, CA
On March 7, 2003, a Cessna 172L (airplane) was involved in an accident near Rosamond, CA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- March 7, 2003
- Place
- Rosamond, CA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 34.817°N, 118.401°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030315X00340
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On March 7, 2003, at 1500 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172L, N19770, collided with terrain near Rosamond, California. Kern Charter Service operated the rental airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was destroyed in the post impact fire. The renter pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The personal cross-country flight departed Bakersfield Municipal Airport (L45), Bakersfield, California, about 1400, with an en route stop at Skyotee Ranch Airport (CL74), Rosamond. The flight's destination was Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport (IFP), Bullhead City, Arizona. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The primary wreckage was at 34 degrees 49.696 minutes north latitude and 118 degrees 24.364 minutes west longitude. According to a witness in the area, he saw the airplane take off about 1500. The airplane was traveling in a westerly direction and was about 200 feet above the ground. The witness turned away to continue working, and when he looked back in the general direction, about 10 minutes later, he saw a crashed airplane. He stated that there were no abnormal noises coming form the airplane, nor did he notice anything unusual about the airplane after takeoff. Another witness did not see the airplane takeoff or crash, but saw smoke coming from a nearby alfalfa field about 1500. He reported that he had heard it takeoff, but did not hear any abnormal noises coming from the airplane. Witnesses attempted to assist the occupants after the crash; however, the airplane was on fire and they w
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the takeoff initial climb, which resulted in a stall and impact with flat level terrain. Also causal was the pilot's impaired judgment due to recent use of cocaine, and ethanol.
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Browse: California · Cessna aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
