Cessna 172N accident near Fresno, CA
On February 6, 2012, a Cessna 172N (airplane) was involved in an accident near Fresno, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- February 6, 2012
- Place
- Fresno, CA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 36.809°N, 119.924°W
- NTSB ID
- 20120205X10150
Official records · WPR12LA093
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On February 5, 2012, about 1606 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N7582D, struck powerlines and impacted a canal bank about 5 miles northwest of Fresno, California. The non certificated pilot was fatally injured and the airplane sustained substantial damaged. The airplane was registered to a private party in Walnut Creek, California, and was reportedly stolen and operated by the deceased pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was stolen from Buchanan Field Airport (CCR), Concord, California at an unknown date and time. The airplane was seen at Byron Airport (C83), Byron, California the day prior to the accident. The airplane departed Byron at an unknown time for unknown destination(s). A witness reported to local law enforcement that he observed the airplane flying at the height of the powerlines (about 40 feet above the ground); he mentioned that he could not see the pilot and that the engine was sputtering. The airplane banked right just before it impacted the powerlines and subsequently fell to the ground. A second witness reported to law enforcement that he did not witness the accident, however, he heard something loud outside of his home. He mentioned that it sounded like an engine that was cutting in and out. The witness further mentioned that he did not hear the airplane impact the ground. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT An on scene examination conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the airplane sustained substantial dama
Probable cause
The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from power lines. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to performance-impairing drugs.
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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.
