Cessna 172I accident near Los Angeles, California, November 14, 2024

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to conduct a sunrise flight for his passenger. He reported that it was the airplane’s first flight of the morning and after a thorough preflight inspection, engine runup, and departure, he climbed the airplane to about 1,400 above ground level (agl) and completed the level-off checklist. Moments later, the engine began to lose power, and he turned on the carburetor heat and continued the climb. He made a right turn back toward the airport but realized that the airplane’s altitude was insufficient to make it to the runway, and he performed a forced landing to the nearest open area. During the landing roll, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted, resulting in substantial damage. A witness, who was a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, observed the accident airplane take off on the accident flight. He stated that the engine was running rough, but it was not emitting smoke or vapor. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preimpact malfunctions or anomalies. Residual fuel was found in fuel lines and fuel components in the airframe and engine, and there was evidence of fuel spillage at the accident site. Review of weather information indicated that the conditions at the departure airport were conducive to the development of serious carburetor icing at glide power settings. Based on the lack of mechanical anomalies found during postaccident examination, carburetor ice likely developed while the airplane was operating on the ground at reduced power settings before takeoff, which resulted in the engine roughness during takeoff observed by the witness and the subsequent 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.

Photographs from the investigation 4 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them

Photograph 1 – View of inverted airplane and substantial damage to the right wing lift strut, vertical stabilizer and rudderPhotograph 2 – Forward to aft view of inverted airplane with substantial damage to right wing lift strutPhotograph 3 – View of inverted airplane with damage to vertical stabilizer and rudderPhotograph 4 – Onsite view of the airplane’s fuel selector in the Both position

The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.