# NTSB LAX82DA082: Cessna 172L, N4307Q, Gustine, CA, February 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1982, 20:21 local (Feb 21, 1982, 04:21 UTC)
- Place: Gustine, CA
- Coordinates: 37.14011, -121.039779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1401&lon=-121.0398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70933
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70933/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA082

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AND THE 35 FT POWER LINES NEAR THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 36. DURING A NIGHT LANDING APPROACH, THE PLANE GOT LOW AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK A POWER LINE POLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4307Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172L
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60207
- Airframe hours: 705
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-F2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Francis Scott
- Registered owner: William Francis Scott
- Departed: VACAVILLE, CA
- Destination: GUSTINE, CA
- Airport: SCK, Gustine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 2,600 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 126 °F

## 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 19820220004699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820220004699A), Feb 20, 1982: Cessna 172L, Gustine, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft hit powerpole during landing. Aircraft flipped inverted after contacting ground.

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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