Cessna 172N accident near Joshua Tree, California, July 7, 1997
On July 7, 1997 at about 10:37 pm local time, a Cessna 172N, registered N738ET, was substantially damaged in an accident near Joshua Tree, California (Joshua Tree 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
failure of the pilot to adequately judge the wind direction and to select the correct runway, which resulted in a downwind landing; and his failure to go around, while there was sufficient runway remaining. The tailwind, fence, and ditch were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 7, 1997 · about 10:37 pm local time
- Place
- Joshua Tree, California · Joshua Tree · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N738ET · no longer on the register · serial 17269926
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that while he was preparing to land, he was 'unable to determine any substantial wind by ground observation or from any effect on the path of the aircraft over terrain.' He stated that he then made a low pass over runway 6 and observed the windsock to show a moderate crosswind from the north. The pilot then made an approach, but landed long and with a slight bounce. The aircraft overran the runway and collided with a fence and a berm, then nosed over. The pilot further reported that after the accident, he observed the windsock to show a tailwind for landing on runway 6. Also, he was told that the winds were coming from 240 degrees at approximately 12 knots at the time of the accident. He stated that he 'misjudged the stopping distance and failed to initiate a go-around.'
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: 571 hours in all; 520 in this make and model; 17 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 502 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9,813 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 25, 1997; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SMO Santa Monica CA at 9:15 pm
- Destination: L80
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 2,493 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 104°F (40°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from NXP, 12 miles away
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 N738ET 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.