Cessna 172 accident near Huasna, California, April 6, 2024
On April 6, 2024 at about 6:33 pm local time, a 1958 Cessna 172, registered N8907B, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Huasna, California (Huasna Ranch airport). It was an air-drop flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a low altitude maneuver, resulting in a loss of control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 6, 2024 · about 6:33 pm local time
- Place
- Huasna, California · Huasna Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172, built 1958 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N8907B · registry record · serial 36707
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Air-drop flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was conducting a series of aerial drops for training. After the third pass, he was unable to attain a positive rate of climb. The airplane continued to descend, and the right main landing gear contacted the ground and separated. The airplane veered right and impacted a metal pipe corral fence resulting in substantial damage to the leftwing strut and firewall. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Climb capability › Incorrect use/operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 725 hours in all; 526 in this make and model; 632 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 9, 2023
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Other crew
- Certificate: private
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,465 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 19, 2023; 13.6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300-A (piston); 4,465 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KSBP San Luis Obispo CA at 6:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,400 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: not recorded; a few clouds at 3,500 ft
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 11:56 am from KSMX, 25 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSMX 061151Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 02/02 A3023 RMK AO2 SLP241
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on May 3, 2024. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigative Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.