Cessna 177 accident near Torrance, CA
On September 19, 2019, a Cessna 177 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Torrance, CA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 19, 2019
- Place
- Torrance, CA
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 33.803°N, 118.340°W
- NTSB ID
- 20190919X65015
Official records · WPR19FA262
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn September 19, 2019, about 1202 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N2323Y, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Torrance, California. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 other work use flight. The passenger did not recall the events leading up to the accident. A review of videos taken from personal electronic devices revealed that the airplane took off from the runway and climbed out. After several seconds, the airplane appeared to level off for a few seconds then entered a right banked turn. After about 90° into the turn, the airplane banked sharply to the right and entered a steep nose down descent. Several witnesses located near the departure end of the runway reported that the airplane went into a right banked turn and, shortly thereafter, it nose-dived towards the ground. One witness reported that the airplane attained an altitude of between 350-400 above ground level and was not climbing before it banked right and then stalled. The airplane impacted a building about 3/4 mile east of the Zamperini Field Airport (TOA) Torrance, California. AIRCRAFT INFORMATIONThe airplane owner’s manual listed the stall speeds at the maximum gross weight of 2,350 pounds and no flaps as 64 miles per hour (mph) at no bank angle, 66 mph at 20° of bank, 73 mph at 40° of bank, and 91 mph at 60° of bank. The airplane owner’s manual also listed the maximum rate of climb for the gross weight of 2,350 pounds as about 638 ft per
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and exceedance of the aircraft's critical angle of attack while turning during climb out, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
More accidents in CA
- Douglas MD-83, Feb 1, 2000
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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.
