# NTSB LAX82FVD18: Cessna 172, N64187, Mckinleyville, CA, June 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1982, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Mckinleyville, CA
- Location: 40.9512° N, 124.0776° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of McKinleyville, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.9512&lon=-124.0776&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71629
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVD18
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71629/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVD18

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - performed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK AND SEVERED 3 POWER LINES ABOUT 3 MILES SOUTH OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALTITUDE IN THE VICINITY. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FLEW BY A MOBILE HOME PARK TO VERIFY THAT A TRAILER HAD BEEN MOVED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING FULL POWER WHEN HE DEPARTED THE MOBILE HOME AREA AND THAT HE ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE AND A DOWNDRAFT DURING CLIMB-OUT. HE THEN STRUCK THE LINES; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT HAD SUFFICIENT POWER TO FLY THROUGH AND SEVERE THE 12KV LINES, WHICH WERE ABOUT 1/2 INCH IN DIAMETER, AND THEN CLIMB UP TO A SUFFICIENTLY HIGH ALTITUDE TO FLY BACK TO THE AIRPORT AND LAND. THE ENTIRE ENGINE COWLING WAS TORN LOOSE FROM THE EDGE OF THE FIREWALL ATTACH POINTS; THE PROPELLER TIPS WERE BENT FORWARD ABOUT 3 INCHES; 3 OF THE 4 LEFT WING STRUT ATTACH RIVETS AT THE WING ATTACH POINT WERE SHEARED; A NUMBER OF ELECTRIC ARC BURN SPOTS WERE FOUND ON THE PROPELLER AND LEFT WING SKIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64187](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64187-2008-04-18), registration cancelled 2008-04-18, S/N 17265073, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17265073
- Airframe hours: 27
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.D.Swannack
- Departed: ACV, MCKINLEYVILLE, CA
- Destination: ACV, MCKINLEYVILLE, CA
- Airport: ACV, Arcata, runway 31, 5,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 470 total, 388 in this make and model, 95 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820612022849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820612022849A), Jun 12, 1982: Cessna 172M, Mckinleyville, CA, Substantial damage. Flew through powerlines while flying low over residential area. Remained airborne and returned to base.

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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