Cessna 177 accident near Torrance, California, September 19, 2019
On September 19, 2019 at about 7:02 pm local time, a 1967 Cessna 177, registered N2323Y, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Torrance, California (Zamperini Field). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 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 adequate airspeed and exceedance of the aircraft's critical angle of attack while turning during climb out, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 2019 · about 7:02 pm local time
- Place
- Torrance, California · Zamperini Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 177 Undesignat, built 1967 · all 177s on the register
- Registration
- N2323Y · no longer on the register · serial 17700123
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The flight instructor and his passenger departed for a work flight that tested radar in an airplane that was near its maximum weight limit. Videos of the accident flight showed that the airplane took off from the runway, climbed out, appeared to level off for a few seconds, then entered a right bank turn. After about 90° of turn, the airplane banked sharply to the right and entered a steep nose-down descent. The airplane impacted a building about 3/4 mile east of the airport. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A video of the accident flight and impact markings at the accident site were consistent with the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall then steeply descending to the ground. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain airspeed during the turn, which resulted in an exceedance of the aircraft's critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall. Toxicology testing of the pilot’s specimens detected low concentrations of ethanol and diphenhydramine that generally would not be considered impairing.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 7,845 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Passenger
- Seat: rear
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 15, 2009
- Maximum gross weight: 2,350 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 7:01 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11L, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 1,800 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 6:47 pm from KTOA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
9 documents, released by the NTSB on December 7, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record of Conversation | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Goleta Star Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | On Site Examination Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airframe and Engine Examination Report | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Annual Inspection | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Record of Email | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 9 | Video (Coutesty of Edgar Cineceros). | MOV file | Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.