Cessna 172L accident near Ventura, California, September 16, 2022
On September 16, 2022 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 1970 Cessna 172L, registered N7917G, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute near Ventura, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power due to the fatigue fracture of the No. 4 exhaust valve.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 16, 2022 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ventura, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172L, built 1970 · all 172Ls on the register
- Registration
- N7917G · no longer on the register · serial 17259617
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while conducting a local flight, he heard a "pop" followed by a partial loss of engine power. The airframe started shaking badly, he pulled power to idle, established best glide, and contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC). ATC provided alternate airports and current weather information. Unable to maintain altitude, he initiated a forced landing to a clearing on the beach. During the landing roll, the airplane impacted a rock retaining wall, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and left horizontal stabilizer. Examination of the engine revealed that the No. 4 exhaust valve was fractured. Metallurgical examination of the fracture surfaces on the exhaust valve revealed that it had fractured due to fatigue. The fatigue fracture of the No. 4 exhaust valve likely led to the partial loss of engine power.
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 engine power (partial) during enroute defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng cyl section › Failure
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 108 hours in all; 108 in this make and model; 16 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 31 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 18, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,633 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,633 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SZP Santa Paula CA at 11:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 260° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.86 inHg
- Observation at 4:51 pm from KOXR, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KOXR 162351Z 26012KT 10SM CLR 22/16 A2986 RMK AO2 SLP112 T02220161 10239 20217 58015
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on May 2, 2024. 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 | Materials Laboratory Factual Report | PDF, 22 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Engine Maintenance Records | PDF, 14 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Airframe and Engine Exam | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Evidence Control Forms | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View 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.