# NTSB LAX83LA391: Cessna 172, N3926F, Herndon, CA, August 17, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1983, 23:50 local (Aug 17, 1983, 06:50 UTC)
- Place: Herndon, CA
- Coordinates: 36.640193, -119.910263 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6402&lon=-119.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23823
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA391
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23823/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA391

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - electrical system,fuse - loose (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway edge lights - unavailable (contributing factor)
- Nose down, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE APPROACH AND LANDING WERE NORMAL. DURING ROLLOUT, THE ACFT'S LANDING LIGHT FAILED AND THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SEE WELL ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN HIS COURSE ON THE RWY. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE ONTO SOFT TERRAIN AND THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED. THERE ARE NO ILLUMINATED RWY LIGHTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3926F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3926F), registered now, S/N 36826, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36826
- Airframe hours: 2170
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth W. Ellis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1982, 62 hours before
- Departed: PTV, PORTERVILLE, CA
- Airport: Q60, Sierra Sky Park, runway 30, 2,920 × 50 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 116 total, 19 in this make and model, 84 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830816045329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830816045329A), Aug 16, 1983: Cessna 172, Herndon, CA, Substantial damage. After touchdown landing light failed causing aircaft to leave runway and collapsed nose gear.

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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