# NTSB LAX82DA286: Cessna 172N, N5440J, Novato, CA, August 1, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1982, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.100582, -122.63079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1006&lon=-122.6308&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 1, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72052
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA286
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72052/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA286

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED ON RUNWAY 31 WITH A LEFT CROSSWIND. WHILE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN A DRAINAGE DITCH. THE PILOT ESTIMATED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 220 DEG AT 10 KTS. THE OFFICIAL OBSERVATION AT OAKLAND, CA REPORTED THAT THE WIND WAS FROM 200 DEG AT 8 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5440J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5440J-1983-06-15), registration cancelled 1983-06-15, S/N 17273796 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273796
- Airframe hours: 961
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Chao
- Registered owner: Robert Chao
- Departed: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Destination: DEN, DENVER, CO
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Field, runway 31, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 89 total, 12 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Temperature: 151 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 29 nm away

## 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 19820801033809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820801033809A), Aug 1, 1982: Cessna 172N, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft left the runway while landing in a crosswind. Pilot was unable to correct. Airplane nosed over in a ditch.

## Other investigations on N5440J (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX82FVM06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVM06), Dec 17, 1981: Cessna 172 (N5440J), San Carlos, CA, substantial damage

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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