Accident Overview
On January 23, 2025, at about 1515 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172K, registration N79910, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and impacted the ground in a nose-down attitude near Columbia, California. The pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
Pilot's Account
According to the pilot, after departure he continued east to Columbia and entered the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at a 45° angle for runway 17. On final approach, he noted the airplane was high and maneuvered it in a forward slip in an attempt to descend faster. As the airplane approached the runway, it was still too high, and the pilot determined there was not enough available distance to land safely. He initiated a go-around by pushing the throttle fully forward to increase engine power and turned the carburetor heat off.
Shortly thereafter, the engine rpm began to decrease. The pilot verified that the mixture, throttle, and carburetor heat controls were all fully forward and confirmed that the fuel selector was set to both tanks. When he moved the throttle aft and forward, the engine briefly surged and the rpm increased. As he searched for a suitable off-airport landing site, he observed that the surrounding terrain was hilly with trees and brush. The engine then lost rpm again. With limited options, he turned left in an attempt to return to the runway. While transmitting a radio call to report the engine failure, he noticed the radios had gone blank. The airplane subsequently collided with trees and impacted the ground.
Aircraft and Damage
The Cessna 172K, N79910, was substantially damaged in the accident. The extent of damage to specific components was not detailed in the source.