# NTSB DCA87MA023: Cessna 172N, N75584, Oakland, CA, March 31, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 1 · Major · Final report - Date: March 31, 1987, 09:58 local (17:58 UTC) - Place: Oakland, CA - Coordinates: 37.810619, -122.300544 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8106&lon=-122.3005&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious; on the ground: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 27, 1988 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 1 - NTSB office: Major Investigations Division - Safety recommendations: Yes - NTSB case key (mKey): 15876 - NTSB case page: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA87MA023.aspx - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15876/pdf - Board report AAR8709 (PDF): https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR8709.pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA87MA023 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb - traffic pattern procedure - inadequate - improper use of procedure, other government personnel (contributing factor) - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor) - radar,brite - not operating - maintenance - performed - improper decision, faa(other/organization) (contributing factor) - traffic advisory - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - Midair collision, approach - traffic pattern procedure - inadequate - improper use of procedure, other government personnel (contributing factor) - inadequate surveillance of operation, faa(organization) (contributing factor) - radar,brite - not operating - maintenance - performed - improper decision, faa(other/organization) (contributing factor) - traffic advisory - not issued, atc personnel(lcl/gnd/clnc) (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis (aircraft 2) AT 0954:54, PLT OF PIPER PA-32RT, N39614, RPRTD 9 MI NORTH FOR LNDG. TWR CONTROLLER (NORTH CTLR) TOLD HIM TO PLN FOR A RGT ENTRY TO RWY 27R. AT 0955:32, A STUDENT PLT & INSTRUCTOR (CFI) IN CESSNA 172N, N75584, WERE CLRD FOR TKOF ON RWY 33 WITH A 'RIGHT TURN OUT' IAW NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES. APRX 2 MIN LATER, THE PA-32 PLT RPRTD TURNING DOWNWIND OVER A PROMINENT LND MARK. THE TWR CTLR REPLIED THAT THE PA-32 WAS 'NOT IN SIGHT' & CLRD THE PLT TO LND ON RWY 27R. NO FURTHER X-MISSIONS WERE RCVD FM EITHER ACFT. THE 2 ACFT COLLIDED NRLY HEAD-ON AT ABOUT 1000' MSL, APRX 1 MI NORTH OF THE DEP ENDOF RWY 33. THE CESSNA CRASHED INTO A PG&E FACILITY & BURNED; A SECURITY GUARD WAS INJURED THERE. THE PA-32 CRASHED IN A NRBY BAY. INV REVEALED TWR PSNL HAD NOT PROVIDED TRAFFIC ADZY TO EITHER ACFT & THAT THE BRITE RADAR WAS OUT-OF-SVC FOR ROUTINE MAINT. ARPT PSNL HAD POSTED SIGNS ARND THE ARPT WITH NOISE ABATEMENT PROCEDURES W/O FAA APVL, WHICH EFFECTIVELY RDCD SEPN BTN DEPG/ARRG ACFT. FAA TFC MGR DID NOT ORDER MODIFICATION OR RMVL OF SIGNS WHEN HE LEARNED OF THEIR PRESENCE. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N75584](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75584-1987-03-31), registration cancelled 1987-03-31, S/N 17267827, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75584 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Alameda Aero Club - Registered owner: Geiger, James M. Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: OAK, Metro Oakland Intl, runway 33, 3,366 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N39614](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39614-1989-01-11), registration cancelled 1989-01-11, S/N 32R7885232 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32RT-300 (PA-32RT-30) - Registry model: [Piper PA-32RT-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32rt-300) (registry code 7103215) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 32R7885232 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-K1G5D 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Registered owner: Northstar Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA - Airport: OAK, Metro Oakland Intl, runway 27R, 5,453 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N75584; age 25; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,250 total - Pilot, aircraft N39614; age 25; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,825 total, 115 in this make and model, 57 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19870331080402A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870331080402A), Mar 31, 1987: Cessna 172N, Oakland, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Collided with N39614 while climbing outbound. Both crashed out of control. ATC and airport operator faulted. - [Accident 19870331080401A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870331080401A), Mar 31, 1987: Piper PA32RT300, Oakland, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Collided with N75584 approaching airport. Both aircraft crashed out of control. ATC and airport operator faulted. From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.