# NTSB LAX79FA003: Rockwell 112A, N1396J, Yucca Valley, CA, October 14, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 14, 1978
- Place: Yucca Valley, CA · YUCCA VALLEY, CA
- Location: 34.1142° N, 116.4322° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Yucca Valley, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1142&lon=-116.4322&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX79FA003
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FA003

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3445  78/10/14   YUCCA VALLEY,CA     ROCKWELL 112A       CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 50, 300
        TIME - 1616                    N1396J              PX-  1  2  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - YUCCA VALLEY
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          FALLBROOK,CA                FALLBROOK,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - IMPROPERLY LOADED AIRCRAFT-WEIGHT-AND/OR C.G.
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SELECTED WRONG RUNWAY RELATIVE TO EXISTING WIND
        FACTOR(S)
           PERSONNEL - MAINTENANCE,SERVICING,INSPECTION: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION
           POWERPLANT - IGNITION SYSTEM: SPARK PLUG
           WEATHER - HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - DOWNWIND
        WEATHER BRIEFING - UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          CLEAR                                                    UNLIMITED
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          5 OR OVER(UNLIMITED)                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          NONE                                                      89
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           60                                                       8
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR                                                      NONE
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- 215 LBS OVER GROSS.SPARK PLUGS EXCESSIVELY WORN.DA APPROX 5800FT.CG 18IN AFT OF MAX.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1396J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1396J-2009-05-06), registration cancelled 2009-05-06, S/N 396, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 112A
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112a) (registry code 7630302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Yucca Valley

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19781014037549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19781014037549A), Oct 14, 1978: Rkwell 112, Yucca Valley, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. 215 Lbs over gross. Spark plugs excessively worn. Da approx 5800FT.8IN aft of max.

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.

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