# NTSB Accident LAX01FA129
> **Cessna 172N** · 2001-03-29 · Santa Monica, CA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** LAX01FA129
- **Event ID:** 20010407X00718
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 2001-03-29
- **Location:** Santa Monica, CA, USA
- **Coordinates:** 34.021667, -118.581947
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 3
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 3
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Cessna
- **Model:** 172N
- **Registration:** N2838E
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

the pilot's loss of airplane control while maneuvering due to spatial disorientation.  Contributing factors were the dark night, the marine cloud layer that restricted the pilot's cruising altitude, and the pilot's lack of familiarity with nighttime flight over the ocean.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=LAX01FA129) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*