LAX06CA125

Factual narrative

On Mach 7, 2006, about 1300 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N739NU, collided with power lines, impacted a roadway, and came to rest inverted next to the Compton/Woodley Airport, Compton, California. Aero Squad operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) pilot, and the student pilot undergoing instruction (PUI) sustained minor injuries; the airplane was substantially damage. The local instructional flight departed Compton/Woodley Airport about 1050. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The approximate global positioning system (GPS) coordinates of the primary wreckage were 33 degrees 53 minutes north latitude by 118 degrees 15 minutes west longitude. The instructor pilot stated that while on short final to land, she was flying the airplane with the student holding the controls lightly to feel the movement. During level off, turbulence was encountered pushing the airplane up and scaring the student pilot. The student pilot grabbed firm hold on the controls and the airplane began to drift to the left. The instructor said to the student "I have the controls. Don't be scared," but the student would not release the controls. The airplane continued to drift left towards parked airplanes and hangars. The instructor initiated a go-around, added full throttle, and tried to steer the airplane back toward the runway but could not overpower the student's grip on the controls. The airplane cleared the hangars but the landing gear got entangled in power lines and the airplane came down nose first on to a street. The airplane collided with power lines during an attempted go-around and came to rest inverted on a nearby roadway. Following an encounter with turbulence during landing level off the student pilot grabbed the controls firmly and did not release them to the instructor. The airplane drifted left toward parked aircraft and hangars. The instructor added full power to initiate a go-around, but still could not get the student to release his hold on the controls. The airplane cleared the hangars and continued to drift left when the landing gear contacted power lines and the airplane descended nose first into the street below. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12