Cessna 172 accident near Van Nuys, California, July 26, 1992
On July 26, 1992 at about 10:35 pm local time, a Cessna 172, registered N2781E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Van Nuys, California (Van Nuys airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE STUDENT PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF THE CHECKLIST TO ASSURE THAT THE TRIM TAB WAS IN THE PROPER POSITION AND FAILURE TO FOLLOW NORMAL PROCEDURES AND DIRECTIVES. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, MISREADING OF THE TRIM SETTING, AND EXESSIVE NOSE DOWN ELEVATOR TRIM TAB.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 1992 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Van Nuys, California · Van Nuys · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172 · all 172s on the register
- Registration
- N2781E · no longer on the register · serial 172-71320
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE NONCERTIFICATED STUDENT PILOT WAS DEPARTING ON A LOCAL SOLO FLIGHT. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE STUDENT PILOT IMPROPERLY USED THE CHECKLIST AND FAILED TO DETERMINE THE TRIM TAB POSITION. ON LIFTOFF WITH THE TRIM TAB IN THE FULL NOSE DOWN POSITION THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO USE THE PROPER ELEVATOR CONTROL. THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO RESET THE TRIM AFTER REACHING ABOUT 20 FT ABOVE THE GROUND AND ELECTED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. THE STUDENT PILOT WAS UNABLE TO FLARE THE AIRPLANE AND LANDED HARD ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL AND NOSE GEAR.
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: student
- Flight time: 92 hours in all; 89 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 19 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,467 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, June 12, 1992; 79 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,307 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: VNY at 10:35 pm
- Destination: VNY
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 8,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
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.