# NTSB LAX84FA034: Cessna 172N, N76073, Woodland, CA, November 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1983, 20:00 local (Nov 9, 1983, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Woodland, CA
- Coordinates: 38.710655, -121.850349 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7107&lon=-121.8503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23899
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23899/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRCREW REPORTED THAT AS THE ACFT WAS ENTERING A LEFT DOWNWIND TO LAND ON RWY 34, SPARKS, FIRE & SMOKE WERE OBSERVED EMANATING FROM THE ENG COMPARTMENT. REPORTEDLY, THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) ASSUMED COMMAND OF THE ACFT, SHUT DOWN THE ENG & ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON RWY 16. DURING THE APCH TO LAND. THE ACFT STRUCK WIRES PARALLELING THE RWY & CRASHED. THE WIRES WERE LOCATED ABOUT 500 FT WEST OF RWY 16. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRECRASH FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76073](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N76073-1986-04-09), registration cancelled 1986-04-09, S/N 17268113 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268113
- Airframe hours: 1728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: River City Air/Charter
- Registered owner: Dean E. Henricks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 28, 1983, 68 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: 2Q3, Yolo County, runway 16, 6,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 2,206 total, 108 in this make and model, 2,161 as pilot in command, 196 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Observed at: SAC, 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 19831108059379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831108059379A), Nov 8, 1983: Cessna 172N, Woodland, CA, Substantial damage. Pilots claim engine malfunction on downwind leg of pattern. Aircraft hit wires and crashed during emergency landing

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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