Cessna 177 Cardinal, N3386T: Accident occurred April 28, 2020 in Lodi, San Joaquin County, California

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Oakland, California

https://registry.faa.gov/N3386T

Location: Lodi, CA
Accident Number: WPR20LA133
Date & Time: 04/28/2020, 1752 PDT
Registration: N3386T
Aircraft: Cessna 177
Injuries:1 Minor 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 28, 2020, about 1752 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177 airplane, N3386T, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lodi, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The student pilot reported that about 15 minutes after takeoff, at an altitude of 1,400 ft mean sea level, he observed oil on the windscreen which was followed by a loud noise and a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine but was unsuccessful and initiated a forced landing to a nearby field. Subsequently, the airplane landed hard and came to rest upright.

Postaccident examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage. Oil residue was observed on the right side of the fuselage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N3386T
Model/Series: 177 Undesignated
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KSCK, 27 ft msl
Observation Time: 0055 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 18 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 33°C / 12°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 4 knots / , 310°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.94 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Lodi, CA (1O3)
Destination: Lodi, CA (1O3)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 38.196111, -121.248889 (est)

San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office

Shortly after 6 pm, our office received a report of a Cessna 177 Cardinal aircraft that had crashed in Lodi, near the area of Peltier Road and Dustin Road, in a field.

The pilot, a 50 yr-old male, reports having taken off around 2 pm and shortly before 6 pm, started having engine problems. He tried to do an emergency landing, and ended up crash landing into an open field.

We are glad the pilot walked out of this accident with only minor scratches. He was transported by ground ambulance to a nearby hospital to be medically cleared.