Cessna 172K accident near Torrance, California, July 5, 1993
On July 5, 1993 at about 10:35 pm local time, a Cessna 172K, registered N79034, was substantially damaged in an accident near Torrance, California (Zamperini Field). It was an other work-use 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
AN ENCOUNTER WITH A WINDSHEAR CONDITION. THE DELAYED BANNER JETTISON WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 5, 1993 · about 10:35 pm local time
- Place
- Torrance, California · Zamperini Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172K · all 172Ks on the register
- Registration
- N79034 · no longer on the register · serial 17257829
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS BEGINNING A BANNER TOWING FLIGHT, AND MANEUVERED OVER THE RUNWAY FOR AN AERIAL PICK-UP OF THE BANNER. JUST AFTER THE PICK-UP, THE BODY OF THE BANNER BEGAN TO FOLD FORWARD TOWARD THE AIRPLANE AND THE HEAD OF THE BANNER BEGAN TO DESCEND. THIS PRODUCED A STEEP NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE, AND THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO ROLL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE PILOT JETTISONED THE BANNER; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNABLE TO PREVENT A STALL. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND STRUCK THE GROUND ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT NEARBY HILLS PRODUCE TURBULENCE AND WINDSHEAR CONDITIONS. A WIND SHIFT AT THE AIRPORT HAD BEEN REPORTED ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 708 hours in all; 217 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 659 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,060 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 19, 1993; 91 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Star Ads. INC.
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29R, 5,000 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 pm from TOA
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.