NTSB WPR23LA082 — 2023-01-01 · Watsonville, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N7181A

Make / Model: CESSNA 172
Year of manufacture: 1956 · 67 years old at event
Engine: CONT MOTOR 0-300 SER (145 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A99C41

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N7181A Cessna 172 Serious

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during a go around.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that, she initiated a go around when she realized that she was low while on final approach. During the go around, the airplane struck powerlines, impacted terrain, and came to rest nose down. The right wing and the fuselage were substantially damaged. The student pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained
— Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot
— Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Awareness of condition

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2023_WPR23LA082.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

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Related research

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