Cessna 172P accident near Van Nuys, California, March 23, 2003
On March 23, 2003 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Cessna 172P, registered N63788, was substantially damaged in an accident near Van Nuys, California (Van Nuys Airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted landing. A contributing factor is the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 23, 2003 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Van Nuys, California · Van Nuys Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172P · all 172Ps on the register
- Registration
- N63788 · no longer on the register · serial 17275483
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane collided with a building during an aborted landing. While in the landing flare, the pilot noted that the airplane was in a slightly high flare attitude that resulted in a bounced landing. He initiated an aborted landing and lost directional control during the takeoff roll. The airplane veered to the left of the runway and became airborne. He attempted to regain directional control with right rudder and aileron control inputs. The airplane started a turn to the right, but not enough to avoid impacting a building. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane.
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
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 38 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 12,018 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 18, 2002; 58 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D3G (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNY Van Nuys CA at 8:45 pm
- Destination: VNY Van Nuys CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16L, 4,011 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Observation at 8:51 pm from VNY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.