# NTSB LAX83LA449: Cessna 120, N76744, Lone Pine, CA, September 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1983, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Lone Pine, CA
- Coordinates: 36.559761, -118.049964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5598&lon=-118.0500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23859
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA449
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23859/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA449

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - wing - distorted (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,tank - leak (contributing factor)
- Fire, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SAND BANK DURING TAKEOFF ROLL, A FUEL LEAK DEVELOPED AND THE ACFT WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A TAKEOFF ON A DRY LAKE BED WHEN THE ACFT HIT A FEW SAND BUMPS. THE NOSE WENT UP IN THE AIR ANDTHE ACFT CAME BACK DOWN HARD ON THE LEFT MAIN GEAR. THE LEFT WING WAS DAMAGED, FUEL LEAKED AND A FLASH FIRE STARTED. THEOCCUPANTS AND A DOG GOT OUT UNINJURED BEFORE THE ACFT WAS BURNED. THE PILOT AND HIS FRIENDS HAD TRIED TO SMOOTH THE LAKE BED BEFORE THE FLT BY FILLING RUTS AND MEASURING OFF THE SMOOTHEST PART FOR THE TAKEOFF. THE AREA ALLOCATED WAS 900FT LONG. THE PILOT HAD DETERMINED THE TAKEOFF DISTANCE TO BE 830 FT FOR THE ACFT AT GROSS WEIGHT. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE WHEN THE LEFT WHEEL HIT THE RISE IN THE TERRAIN JUST BEYOND THE DEPARTURE END OF THE STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76744](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76744-1990-01-22), registration cancelled 1990-01-22, S/N 11176 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11176
- Airframe hours: 3379
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-90-14 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Harley Reploge
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1983
- Departed: SALINE VALLEY, CA
- Destination: BIH, BISHOP, CA
- Airport: Saline Valley, runway 27, 1,000 ×  ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,003 total, 230 in this make and model, 795 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F

## 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 19830919050979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830919050979A), Sep 19, 1983: Cessna 120, 20 Ne Lone Pine, CA, Destroyed. Struck a sand bank on takeoff from a rough dry lakebed. Rough surface and near gross weight are factors.

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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