SANTA PAULA, CA, USA
N79504
CESSNA 172K
ON A LOCAL FLT TO VIEW CAMPING AND HIKING FACILITIES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE ACFT ENTERED A BOX CANYON WITH A MODERATELY RISING FLOOR AND STEEP SIDES REPORTED BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AT ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OF A MILE WIDE. DURINGAN ATTEMPTED COURSE REVERSAL. THE ACFT STALLED AND IMPACTED NOSE DOWN IN TALL TREES ON THE FLOOR OF THE CANYON. SHERIFF DEPT SEARCH AND RESCUE PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT ONLY THE TREES IMMEDIATELY AROUND THE ACFT WERE DISTURBED. ALTHOUGH NONE OF THE FOUR OCCUPANTS REPORTED A CLEAR MEMORY OF THE ACCIDENT SEQUENCE, ONE PASSENGER DID SAY THAT THE 'ENGINE DIDN'T SOUND RIGHT' JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. FUNCTIONAL TESTING OF THE ACFT REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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