N4203L

On December 8, 1995, at 1645 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172, N4203L, nosed over during landing at the Ocotillo airport, Ocotillo Wells, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The aircraft was substantially damaged; however, the pilot and two passengers were uninjured. The flight departed from Gillespie Field at San Diego, California, at 1610.

In his written and oral statements, the pilot said that his landing approach to runway 9 was low, and that the aircraft's nosewheel struck a 2-foot-high flood control berm short of the runway and separated from the aircraft. The aircraft then landed on the runway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, 150 feet east of the berm. He reported no mechanical problems.