History of Flight
On April 29, 2023, at approximately 1950 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172S, registration N575ND, was substantially damaged when it crashed in Los Angeles, California. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
The pilot had rented the airplane from a flight school at Camarillo Airport (CMA). He had approached the school in early April 2023 to complete a flight review, having last flown in July 2022. The flight review was conducted in the accident airplane and was finished two days before the accident.
Outbound and Return Flight
The pilot departed CMA around 1340 and arrived at Bermuda Dunes Airport (UDD) in Palm Springs about 1500. After fueling, the pilot planned to return to CMA later in the day. While in Palm Springs, he texted his wife that he would be late due to weather and changed the airplane’s scheduled return time from 1800 to 2000.
The return flight departed UDD at 1848. The airplane flew northwest through Banning Pass, reaching 7,000 ft mean sea level (msl), then turned west. It maintained about 6,500 ft msl for most of the next 70 miles with ground speeds of 110–125 knots. Approaching Ontario Airport (ONT) Class C airspace, it began a gradual descent. At 1943, the airplane was at 2,725 ft, just below the 3,000 ft shelf of Bob Hope Airport (BUR) Class C airspace, and continued through a corridor between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and BUR airspace.
Communication with Van Nuys Tower
At about 1947, the pilot contacted Van Nuys Airport (VNY) tower, reporting he was 9 miles southeast and had the current weather. After some unclear transmissions, the controller instructed him to make left traffic for runway 16L. The pilot read back correctly and was given a transponder code. The controller noted that based on his approach, he should have contacted BUR tower first.
The controller asked for aircraft type; after a second query, the pilot reported it was a Cessna 172. At about 1,900 ft, the controller directed the pilot to turn right toward the I-405 and US 101 interchange. The pilot requested clarification, and the controller suggested a heading of 305°. The pilot acknowledged and began a descending right turn toward VNY. Shortly after, the controller confirmed the pilot had current weather, which he did. The airplane then maintained a heading of 320° toward VNY, descending to 1,600 ft (about 700 ft above ground level) while traveling about 117 knots, heading toward hilly terrain. No further transmissions were received from the pilot. The airplane descended further to 1,375 ft before the controller reported losing radar contact. Multiple attempts to reach the pilot were unsuccessful.
Search and Wreckage
An alert notice (ALNOT) was issued after the airplane failed to land at VNY. Following a multi-agency search hindered by dense fog, the wreckage was located later that night. The pilot had not requested VFR traffic advisories (flight following) from any en route air traffic control facility during the flight.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The airplane, manufactured in 2009, was equipped with a Garmin G1000 glass cockpit and conventional backup instruments. It was not fitted with the optional synthetic vision system. Fuel added at UDD tested clean, with no reported issues from other customers.
The pilot held a private pilot certificate issued in December 2020 and did not have an instrument rating. At the time of the flight review, he had logged about 180 total flight hours, with 115 as pilot-in-command. He had flown in the Los Angeles area six times in the two years prior, mostly avoiding congested airspace.
Meteorological Information
Sunset occurred at 1937, with civil twilight ending at 2004. At 1951, VNY reported VFR conditions with 10 miles visibility and clear skies. However, Santa Monica Airport (SMO) reported low IFR conditions with 7 miles visibility and a 300 ft overcast ceiling. CMA, the intended destination, reported IFR conditions with 8 miles visibility and a 600 ft overcast ceiling. Satellite imagery showed low stratiform clouds encroaching on the accident area. The pilot did not contact any weather briefing services before the flight.
Impact and Examination
The main wreckage was found at an elevation of 1,345 ft msl on a south-facing 45° slope in the Hollywood Hills, about 6.5 miles south-southeast of VNY. The first impact point was a swath through a bush, with a ground scar leading to the main wreckage. The airplane came to rest nose-down against a tree. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no pre-impact anomalies. Fuel was present in both tanks and lines. The propeller showed rotation at impact. Flaps were retracted, and elevator trim was set for cruise. The left-seat airbag had deployed. The G1000 SD card was not located.
Medical and Pathological Information
The pilot held a third-class medical certificate issued by special issuance due to Type I diabetes mellitus. His last aviation medical exam was in September 2019. Autopsy determined the cause of death as multiple blunt force trauma. Toxicology detected minoxidil, which is used for blood pressure or hair loss; the FAA considers it acceptable for pilots if the underlying condition is acceptable.