# NTSB LAX83LA428: Cessna 172N, N2333E, Novato, CA, September 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 6, 1983, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Novato, CA
- Coordinates: 38.09943, -122.629653 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0994&lon=-122.6297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA428
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA428

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff
  - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose down, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF IN STRONG X-WIND CONDITIONS. DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. AFTER UNSUCCESSFULLY TRYING TO GET BACK ONTO THE RWY, THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTINUED INTO A DITCH & CAME TO REST ON ITS NOSE. ABOUT 40 MI NE AT NAPA, CA, THE 1548 PDT WIND WAS FROM 210 DEG AT 18 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2333E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271239
- Airframe hours: 550
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bud Henderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 1982, 17 hours before
- Destination: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: 056, Gnoss Field, runway 31, 3,300 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 430 total, 73 in this make and model, 327 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 18 knots
- Visibility: 14 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 40 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 19830906073789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830906073789A), Sep 6, 1983: Cessna 172N, Novato, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot lost directional control of aircraft during attempted takeoff in crosswind.

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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