Cessna Down at Los Banos Ca

Strange one, it will be interesting to hear what they find.

Unlikely the Auto Pilot since even the master did not stop the issue. Would have been pretty strange if they wired it incorrectly and the Circuit Breaker didn't do it, but even if they had, the Master would have.

Unlikely it was binding (cable off a pully, servo chain, etc.) as the control surfaces would not have continued to move on their own as reported.

Maybe something broke loose and as the plane turned, climbed, dove something was moving around pulling on the cables/controls and the pilot just didn't make the connection (would any of us?).
 
It would be an odd autopilot failure to jam both the eleveator and aileron. I'm guessing something jammed up the mechanics of the control yoke. Most autopilot servos are just loose wraps around a drum. They're designed to be overpowered.
 
There's probably going to be a mechanic and other flight school personnel whose lives will be turned completely upside down very soon. RIP to the student pilot.
 
Having an emergency body worn parachute onboard is not a crazy idea, especially for rental aircraft.
 
Rein Hart said:
Having an emergency body worn parachute onboard is not a crazy idea, especially for rental aircraft.
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Might have a difficult or impossible chance of getting out while solo in a 172.
 
Agree with others, more likely culprit is something jammed up in the yoke/controls behind the panel, especially considering it affected ailerons and elevator.
 
I don't think the 2004 172SP ever had G1000 or anything but KAP140 autopilot unless it was retrofit. I think 2005 was the first year G1000 was offered in the skyhawk, 2004 for the da40?

This accident has me spooked. I'm hoping NTSB fishes a snap-on breaker bar out of the yoke chains or something, but... an hour into the flight? gah.
 
schmookeeg said:
This accident has me spooked. I'm hoping NTSB fishes a snap-on breaker bar out of the yoke chains or something, but... an hour into the flight? gah.
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Likewise. Note to self, include good look under the panel with preflight rather than just feeling for valve position of header tank fuel line.
 
schmookeeg said:
This accident has me spooked.
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Several years ago flying a C-414 one night. Pre-flight inspection was good, flight controls free and correct. Loaded patient and flight nurses, did the final walk around, entered the plane, doors all closed and latched. Started the engines, taxied out, did the run up plus again controls free and correct. I entered the runway, advanced the throttles, A/S comes alive and moments before rotation the ailerons freeze. I mean I can hear and feel a positive contact stopping the ailerons. Elevator and rudder free. Yank throttles to the stop, taxi off the runway and the ailerons free up.

A quick change of planes and off we go. The flight nurses really impressed me to get out of a broken plane and into another one without a word.

The mechanics found.........

nothing wrong. The plane was down for about 2 weeks tearing down and inspecting the aileron controls searching for what might have caused the problem.
 
Mikey52 said:
Might have a difficult or impossible chance of getting out while solo in a 172.
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I think it would be quite easy, actually. Not gonna try it, but I had the door open on one a few days back. Unbuckle, watch the gear on the way out.
 
The operator lists the autopilot as a kap 140.

Would not expect the autopilot to be directly related.

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Kenny Phillips said:
I think it would be quite easy, actually. Not gonna try it, but I had the door open on one a few days back. Unbuckle, watch the gear on the way out.
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When I was in college, I did 8 jumps out of a Cessna 180. They were equipped with a door that was hinged at the top so it was out of the way. For a skydiving exit, the drill was sit in the door, then put your foot on the step and grab the strut, and then release. We were sitting on the floor, which mad things much easier.

If you had to exit the airplane with the front hinged door still in place, you have to push out against the door, and miss the gear, which could be problematic. Not that this is going to happen, I really don't see anyone wearing a parachute in a 172.
 
farmrjohn said:
What a scary accident review on Blancolirio report
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I hate ones like this. So far it seems he was doomed. Most accidents there is something to be learned by reviewing it. Something that if the pilot had done something differently it may have saved the day. He gave it the good fight to the end.
 
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luvflyin said:
I hate ones like this. So far it seems he was doomed. Most accidents there is something to be learned by reviewing it. Something that if the pilot had done something differently it may have saved the day. He gave it the good fight to the end.
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Still want to hear what the investigators find. But I'm unclear on how he flew all over the place and then, at the end, went into a nose dive.

If something did break loose and is what was causing the controls to keep changing, I could see is slipping all the way one way and either changing the W&B or pushing the controls into a dive.... But still the big question of what caused this erratic flight path.
 
I always wear a chute when I do acro in my Decathlon. The door has a quick release hinge with a handle to eject it. I would not want to try forcing myself past a front hinged door. Multiple ways that could go wrong.

Don't forget the chute adds several inches of thickness to the seat. My seat cushions are removable to accommodate.
 
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M20K said:
Still want to hear what the investigators find. But I'm unclear on how he flew all over the place and then, at the end, went into a nose dive.

If something did break loose and is what was causing the controls to keep changing, I could see is slipping all the way one way and either changing the W&B or pushing the controls into a dive.... But still the big question of what caused this erratic flight path.
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Juan Brown interviewed a pilot who was trying to help, apparently the accident pilot would occasionally regain control but then quickly lose it again.

Not sure it was a nose dive at the end, or just a stall/spin. The last few ADS-B pings were 54 knots while in a tight bank.
 
Kyle N said:
apparently the accident pilot would occasionally regain control but then quickly lose it again.
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Sort of my point. Why was he able to regain control and then loose control. He did not indicate that he just couldn't hold it for very long or something like that. No real explaination. I get that he was a student pilot and probably very flustered/confused. But, in retrospect, too bad he couldn't relay more information as to what was going on. (Not sure anyone short of a test pilot would have either...)

Kyle N said:
Not sure it was a nose dive at the end, or just a stall/spin.
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And yes, it may have actually been a stall/spin, but same difference. Again, I just don't like open ended questions like this that don't make sense. Not your cut & dry accident that you can think of the various reason why and then the investigation eventually either picks which of the possibilities or confirms the obvious. In this one there is no obvious possible cause. So sure hoping they can find a smoking gun to answer all the questions and just wish he could have circled it down and skidded across some field to tell us all his tale.

And really sorry it even happened and condolences to the family, friends and his CFI!
 
Piperonca said:
note that this plane was involved in a 2016 crash where it flipped over its nose and destroyed the wings and vertical stabilizer
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May prove to be nothing more than a historical note. But something new to the mix.
 
3393RP said:
I don't care for Blancolirio videos. They're essentially Brown reading from reports by ASN, local media, and NTSB preliminaries, and then several minutes of his opinions. It's all tedious and mostly uninforming.
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I just hate being forced to watch a video when I can usually consume information much faster by reading. But I realize I am becoming an oldster.
 
Ed Haywood said:
I just hate being forced to watch a video when I can usually consume information much faster by reading. But I realize I am becoming an oldster.
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The problem with video is its information that's been dissected by someone else that will put their own spin on things. As great as blancolirio is, he can get caught up in things that may or may not have anything to do with anything. It's natural.

In this case he seems fixated on the autopilot.

I prefer the official reports that have been carefully worded that don't care about clicks.
 
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3393RP said:
I don't care for Blancolirio videos. They're essentially Brown reading from reports by ASN, local media, and NTSB preliminaries, and then several minutes of his opinions. It's all tedious and mostly uninforming.
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On other hand, I see it as quite a convenient one stop shop.
 
What caught my attention was that the master was turned off, and the problem persisted.
Racerx said:
The problem with video is it takes information that's been dissected by someone else that will put their own spin on things. As great as blancolirio is, he can get caught up in things that may or may not have anything to do with anything. It's natural.

In this case he seems fixated on the autopilot.

I prefer the official reports that have been carefully worded that don't care about clicks.
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Videos can be useful when there are crucial visual or audio elements, like the actual video footages we have seen of some accidents, or relevant ATC exchanges. However, simply reading text that's already in a preliminary report is a waste of everyone's time.
 
Who last did maintenance on the aircraft and when would be nice to know.
 
sarangan said:
What caught my attention was that the master was turned off, and the problem persisted.


Videos can be useful when there are crucial visual or audio elements, like the actual video footages we have seen of some accidents, or relevant ATC exchanges. However, simply reading text that's already in a preliminary report is a waste of everyone's time.
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Reading this opinion was a waste of my time. ;)
 
Interesting wrinkle. Trade Winds Aviation (who operated the plane) posted this statement:

Statement on Recent Aviation Accident and Ongoing Investigation

We are deeply saddened to confirm that a fatal aviation accident occurred on August 26, involving a privately operated Cessna 172S departing from Reid Hillview Airport at approximately 3:10pm local time. Tragically, the pilot—who was the sole occupant of the aircraft—did not survive.

Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the individual during this incredibly difficult time. We are working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who are leading a thorough investigation into the incident.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, there has been public speculation suggesting mechanical failure. At this time, we urge the public and media to refrain from drawing conclusions while the official investigation is underway.

While we will not discuss specifics pending the findings of investigators, we are aware that early indications point to factors unrelated to mechanical malfunction. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they examine all aspects of this tragic event, including the possibility of intentional actions by the pilot.

As always, safety remains our highest priority, and we stand with our partners in aviation and law enforcement as they work to uncover the facts.

Further updates will be provided as information becomes available through official channels.

Trade Winds Aviation
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MarcP said:
Interesting wrinkle. Trade Winds Aviation (who operated the plane) posted this statement:
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Quote from statement: "While we will not discuss specifics pending the findings of investigators, we are aware that early indications point to factors unrelated to mechanical malfunction. We are fully cooperating with the authorities as they examine all aspects of this tragic event, including the possibility of intentional actions by the pilot".

Cash flow? Maybe a deflection to blame the pilot for a suicide and keep the rentals flying?

The pilot's personal life, and life insurance, could offer some clues to the direction this investigation is headed...
 
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