Cessna 172L accident near Santa Ynez, California, June 7, 2005
On June 7, 2005 at about 8:55 pm local time, a Cessna 172L, registered N7668G, was substantially damaged in an accident near Santa Ynez, California (Santa Ynez Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. 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 go-around in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2005 · about 8:55 pm local time
- Place
- Santa Ynez, California · Santa Ynez Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L · all 172Ls on the register
- Registration
- N7668G · no longer on the register · serial 17259368
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane stalled and impacted the airport's ramp area during an attempted landing. While on short final approach, about 15 to 20 feet above ground level, a gust of wind lifted the left wing and shifted the airplane from the runway's centerline. The pilot manipulated the throttle control full forward in an effort to obtain the maximum power setting and execute a go-around. The airplane stalled and impacted the ramp tie-down area just north of the runway. At the time of the accident, the weather observation facility at the airport reported wind from 300 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 21 knots. The pitch trim was found in the neutral position and the flaps were extended to 30 degrees. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures were identified during an examination of the wreckage.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 123 hours in all; 70 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,011 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2005; 91 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-D2G (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Red Baron Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: SBA Santa Barbara CA at 6:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 2,804 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from IZA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N7668G the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.