# NTSB LAX84LA001: Cessna 172, N8426X, Salinas, CA, October 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 1, 1983, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Location: 36.6483° N, 121.6112° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from SALINAS MUNI (SNS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6483&lon=-121.6112&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24049
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24049/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA001

## 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 - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - performance data - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED OVER DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT ON AN INITAL APPROACH TO LAND. THE PILOT HAD TAKEN OFFFROM MONTEREY CA AT 1100 HOURS PDT TO FLY TO SALINAS CA WITH AN ESTIMATED 4-5 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD THE ACFT. AT 1150PDT THE ACFT LANDED OFF THE AIRPORT AT SALINAS. THE PILOT REPORT STATED THAT THE ACFT WAS OUT OF FUEL. THE REASON THE PILOT GAVE FOR NOT REFUELING AT MONTEREY WAS THE LACK OF 80 OCTANE FUEL. DURING THE LANDING ABOUT 2 MILES SHORT OF THE ARPT THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN A SOFT MUDDY PLOWED FIELD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8426X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8426X-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 17248926, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 48926
- Airframe hours: 3100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis F. Murry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 29, 1982
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Destination: SNS, SALINAS, CA
- Airport: SNS, Salinas, runway 31, 4,825 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,091 total, 461 in this make and model, 3,025 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS

## 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 19831001052859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831001052859A), Oct 1, 1983: Cessna 172C, Salinas, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near destination. Landed in a soft muddy field and aircraft nosed over.

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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