airtraffic

Author Topic: Looking for audio of N5203H crash (severe control problem)  (Read 259 times)

Offline Bluebird01

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 1
Looking for audio of N5203H crash (severe control problem)
« on: August 27, 2025, 13:00:21 UTC »
Hello everyone,
I’m looking for ATC audio related to the Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP (reg. N5203H) that sadly crashed on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 between Santa Nella and Los Banos, California.
Departure: San Jose (KSJC) around 22:11Z (15:11 local)
Last known area: Circling near Los Banos (KLSN), eventually squawked 7700 before crashing around 02:00Z (19:00 local)
FIR/UIR: Oakland ARTCC (KZOA)
Likely frequencies:
NorCal Approach 120.95 (Merced/Los Banos sector)
NorCal Approach 121.30 (Castle/Merced sector)
Possible handoffs via 127.40 (Expo sector) or adjacent NorCal sectors
The pilot reported severe control issues and remained airborne for over an hour while in contact with ATC. If anyone has audio archives (especially 120.95 or 121.30) from this timeframe, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any help!
« Last Edit: August 27, 2025, 19:00:03 UTC by Bluebird01 »



Offline KB4TEZ

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1945
I too had looked around.  I have him departing San Jose-Reid-Hillview Airport, CA (RHV/KRHV), then never did find him in the abyss of NorCal. The ADSB tracks are all over the place.
The 120.950 freq isn't covered by LiveATC anywhere out there. 
RIP


Date:   Tuesday 26 August 2025
Time:   c. 19:05 LT
Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP
Owner/operator:   Tegridy Equipment Leasing LLC
Registration:   N5203H
MSN:   172S9732
Year of manufacture:   2004
Fatalities:   Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:   0
Aircraft damage:   Destroyed
Category:   Accident
Location:   near Los Banos, CA -    United States of America
Phase:   Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:   Private
Departure airport:   San Jose-Reid-Hillview Airport, CA (RHV/KRHV)
Destination airport:   
Investigating agency:    NTSB
Confidence Rating:    Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources
Narrative:
A Cessna 172S Skyhawk SP, N5203H, was destroyed when it crashed after circling the area between Santa Nella and Los Banos. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.

ADS-B data indicates that the aircraft departed San Jose-Reid-Hillview Airport at 15:11 LT and proceeded in the direction of Los Banos, California.
Starting at 15:55 the flight track begins to show an erratic flight path with intense circling in the are, until it crashed three hours later.

Scanner caught audio of pilot in distress on 120.95 (local norcal app):
"My radio scanner actually picked up their audio before he squawked 7700. I heard someone crying on the frequency telling NorCal Approach that they had lost controls to their Cessna and were at half fuel. The other Cessna that was following him was doing their best to help out with the situation and giving NorCal visuals. I could hear the pilot of the second Cessna doing his best to comfort the pilot in distress."
Sources:

https://abc7news.com/post/pilot-dead-small-plane-san-jose-crashes-merced-county-sheriffs-deputies-say/17659126/

https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N5203H
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a68bb7&lat=37.232&lon=-121.509&zoom=10.9&showTrace=2025-08-26&leg=4&trackLabels
https://globe.adsbexchange.com/?icao=a68bb7&lat=36.988&lon=-120.911&zoom=13.0&showTrace=2025-08-27&trackLabels

https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/5/791430_1726199121.jpg (photo)
https://www.reddit.com/r/flightradar24/comments/1n14ndk/squawk_7700_cessna_near_los_banos_ca/

« Last Edit: Today at 11:47:14 by KB4TEZ »