Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during the landing roll on an unimproved airstrip.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that during the landing roll on a sloped dirt airstrip, the airplane approached a slight incline. As he began slowing the airplane, the right wingtip stuck a tree adjacent to the runway and the airplane immediately yawed 90-degrees to the right. The airplane departed the runway surface area, traveled down a small embankment, and impacted a group of small trees, which resulted in structural damage to both wings and engine firewall. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA035 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 1, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Branscomb, California
- Nearest airport
- Private Airport (PVT)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Cessna 172S
- N-number
- N3542V
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.