# NTSB LAX83LA380: Cessna 172P, N52023, Jean, NV, August 10, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1983, 19:00 local (Aug 10, 1983, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Jean, NV
- Coordinates: 35.749977, -115.529029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7500&lon=-115.5290&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23817
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA380
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23817/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA380

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM THE MCCARRAN INTL ARPT, LAS VEGAS, NV & FLEW TO ANOTHER ARPT IN THE LOCAL AREA AT JEAN, NV TO PRACTICE SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF & LANDING TECHNIQUES. DURING HIS 1ST SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF, HE OVER ROTATED THE ACFT & THE TAIL CONE CONTACTED THE RWY. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS DISTRACTED BY THE TAIL DRAGGING THE GROUND & ALLOWED THE ACFT TO DRIFT TOWARD THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. REPORTEDLY, HE TRIED TO CORRECT THE DRIFT BY APPLYING RIGHT AILERON & THE ACFT CONTINUED OFF THE RWY, CONTACTED AN EMBANKMENT & FLIPPED OVER. APRX 20 MI NORTH NORTHEAST AT LAS VEGAS, THE WIND WAS FROM 080 DEG AT 13 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52023](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52023-1984-12-27), registration cancelled 1984-12-27, S/N 17274396 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274396
- Airframe hours: 915
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Steves Flying Service
- Registered owner: Gary A. Ailes
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1983, 69 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: OL7, Jean, runway 2, 4,545 × 100 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 80° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 20 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 19830809043619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830809043619A), Aug 9, 1983: Cessna 172P, Jean, NV, Substantial damage. Overrotated on a practice soft field takeoff. Distracted by tail dragging ground. Lost control and hit embankment.

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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