Cessna 172N accident near Compton, California, September 20, 2023
On September 20, 2023 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1977 Cessna 172N, registered N733ZN, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Compton, California (Compton-Woodle Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The total loss of engine power on takeoff due to water-contaminated fuel. Contributing to the accident was the inadequately maintained fuel system, which resulted in water entering the fuel tanks through the filler caps.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 20, 2023 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Compton, California · Compton-Woodle Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172N, built 1977 · all 172Ns on the register
- Registration
- N733ZN · registry record · serial 17268680
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane had not been flown for about 2 months, and due to the long period on the ground, the pilot planned to perform a test flight for the owner. The pilot completed a preflight inspection, which included confirming fuel levels and checking the fuel tanks for contaminants via the drain ports. The left main and nose gear tires were low, so he serviced them with air and then performed a series of engine run-ups, high-speed taxi tests, and takeoff rolls. The engine lost all power shortly after the first takeoff and the pilot performed a forced landing into a residential area just beyond the airport perimeter. Postaccident examination revealed significant quantities of water in the fuel system. It had rained during the two-week period leading up to the accident and the airplane had been stored outside. The airplane had only flown for a few hours over the 4 years leading up to the accident and showed significant evidence of corrosion and non-use; the fuel cap gaskets had degraded such that an adequate seal was not possible. Although the pilot did not find water in the fuel tanks before the flight, examination revealed evidence of long-standing water contamination at the fuel tanks in an area away from the drain port. Given the general poor condition of the airplane and the evidence of water contamination, it is likely that the airplane was not sitting level for significant periods, possibly due to a deflated nose strut in combination with the two low tires. As such, it is likely that water had settled away from the drain ports when the pilot checked for contamination.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Aircraft maintenance event during prior to flight
- Fuel contamination during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware › Fluids › Fuel › Fluid condition
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel storage › Damaged/degraded
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Fuel system › Fuel storage › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Maintenance › Scheduled/routine maintenance › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 8,000 hours in all; 2,000 in this make and model; 5,000 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,734.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 15, 2023; 1.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 2,922 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 25R, 3,323 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 2,700 ft
- Temperature: 43°F (6°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 8:56 am from CPM, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR23LA349.