News
Report: Plane That Crashed at French Valley Airport Lost Power
FRENCH VALLEY (CNS) – A single-engine airplane that crashed while trying to land at French Valley Airport, injuring the two pilots, experienced an engine failure while descending toward the runway for reasons still under investigation Friday.
The accident happened about 8:35 a.m. Jan. 27, roughly 2,000 feet short of the threshold for Runway 36, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The agency, which released its preliminary findings on the crash earlier this week, determined that the Cessna 210N Centurion, tail No. N4758C, had departed Long Beach Airport about 25 minutes prior to the accident.
“The pilot in command reported that he and his pilot-rated passenger were flying a short cross-country flight to have breakfast,” according to the NTSB.
The report stated that the pilot verified during his preflight inspection that he had sufficient fuel in both wing tanks. He relied on his left wing tank for half the journey, then switched to the right tank, according to the narrative.
“When they approached (French Valley) Airport, the PIC retarded the throttle to near idle, while descending and decreasing the airplane’s airspeed,” the report said. “On the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, about 1,000 feet above ground level, the PIC extended the landing gear, extended the flaps … trimmed the airplane, and made a right turn to the base leg of the traffic pattern.”
The pilot attempted to add power to maintain altitude, “but the engine did not respond,” with the propeller only windmilling, according to the NTSB.
“He cycled the throttle to troubleshoot … and turned on the fuel pump. However, the engine still did not respond, and the airplane descended into a ravine,” the agency said.
The Cessna plowed into a rocky hillside along Sky Canyon Drive, near Borel Road, nosing over and flipping onto its back.
Both pilots were able to climb out of the wreckage, and there was no post-impact fire, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.
The flying pilot suffered minor injuries, but his co-pilot companion was seriously hurt, the NTSB said.
Both men were taken to a regional trauma center for treatment and are recovering.
Officials said the plane, which was manufactured in 1979, sustained major damage and was taken to a secure facility for further examination.
A final report on the crash was not expected to be released until sometime next year.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
By: Pristine Villarreal
February 10, 2023
Link Copied To Clipboard!
Latest Instagram Posts
16
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. Do you do your holiday shopping early or late?
275
HISTORY COULD BE MADE IN COACHELLA! 🇺🇸 Denise Delgado is taking an early lead in the race for Coachella mayor. If the results hold, she would become the first woman elected mayor in the city’s 80-year history! Votes are still being counted on Election Night. #Coachella #ElectionNight #Election2026 #RiversideCounty #NBCPalmSprings
80
Tonight we are hearing from both CA District 36 State Assembly candidates, after early polling has showed that Democratic nominee Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez is currently in the lead. However with less than half the votes counted still, Jeff Gonzalez says it’s too early to tell who will win. We will have future numbers here and our website nbcpalmsprings.com #nbcpalmsprings #2026election #fyp #elections
235
BREAKING: NBC News projects Democrats have won control of the House. A major Election Night shift in Washington as Democrats secure control of the House of Representatives, changing the balance of power in Congress. What does this mean for President Trump’s agenda and the next two years in Washington? Stay with NBC Palm Springs for continuing Election Night coverage. #ElectionNight #Midterms2026 #Democrats #HouseOfRepresentatives ElectionResults NBCPalmSprin
226
Election Day is officially here and we’re closely tracking your Coachella Valley local races. Our @newsbyalondra is keeping a close eye on the city of Coachella’s mayoral and city council races. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs on air and online for your latest election coverage.
55
The California State Assembly District 36 race heats up between Jeff Gonzalez and Dr. Ida Obeso-Martinez, and we have all the coverage here and on nbcpalmsprings.com #election2026 #nbcpalmsprings #district36 #fyp
28
Thinking about installing solar? Watch this before you pull your permits! ⚠️ #therogginreport #coachellavalley #solar #solarpanels #nbcpalmsprings
56
Election Night is underway in the Coachella Valley! 🗳️ @maria_nvtv is live in Old Town La Quinta, tracking the competitive race for California’s Assembly District 47 as incumbent Greg Wallis and challenger Leila Nemvar make their final push for voters. Follow along as we bring you the latest on the candidates, results and what’s at stake for our community! #ElectionNight #CaliforniaPolitics #CoachellaValley #Election2026 #NBCPalmSprings
8
The holidays should be a time for joy, but they can also bring stress, loneliness and added pressure. 🎄 How do you protect your mental and physical health during the busy holiday season? Dr. Joseph Aquilina, Chief Medical Officer at DAP Health, shares practical advice on setting boundaries, managing holiday stress, navigating difficult family dynamics, eating and drinking mindfully, and making time for the people and activities that bring you joy. His biggest reminders? It’s OK to say no, give yourself permission to feel your feelings, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. And as we head into 2027, it’s also a great time to check in on your health screenings and make sure your vaccines are up to date. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for support. #DAPHealth #HolidayHealth #MentalHealthMatters #HolidayStress #DrJosephAquilina CoachellaValley PalmSprings NBCPalmSprings
110
Early morning voters speak to CNN’s Ryan Young about what has motivated them to come to the ballot box in Dunwoody, Georgia.