At about 1045 Pacific standard time the airplane collided with the ground following a loss of engine power during a go-around. The commercial pilot and sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The passenger subsequently reported while in cruise flight at 6000 feet MSL, the pilot noticed that the fuel gauges were going down fast. The pilot diverted and attempted to land on Runway 24. However, the airplane was too high and too fast. The pilot executed a go-around followed by a 180-degree turn and attempted to land on Runway 6. Again, the airplane was too high and too fast. The passenger thought the engine lost power as the pilot was pulling up to execute the second go-around.
January 24, 2009, Oceanside, Calif., Cessna 172S
At about 1045 Pacific standard time the airplane collided with the ground following a loss of engine power during a go-around. The commercial pilot and sole passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual conditions prevailed. The passenger subsequently reported while in cruise flight at 6000 feet MSL, the pilot noticed that the fuel gauges were going down fast. The pilot diverted and attempted to land on Runway 24.
Key Takeaways:
- An airplane crashed, seriously injuring the pilot and sole passenger, after experiencing a loss of engine power during a go-around.
- The incident began when the pilot noted rapid fuel gauge depletion, leading to two attempted landings that were aborted due to the airplane being too high and fast.
- Engine power was lost as the pilot initiated the second go-around following an unsuccessful landing attempt.
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