# NTSB LAX84LA088: Cessna 172N, N6134E, Truckee, CA, December 1, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1983, 12:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24108/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THE TERRAIN WHILE TRYING TO FLY THROUGH DONNER PASS ON A SOLO X-COUNTRY. THERE WAS AN OVERCAST SKY AND THE MOUNTAINS WERE 8300 TO 9100 FT HIGH. THE PLT WAS QUOTED AS STATING THAT THE ACFT DID NOT CLIMB AS WELL AS HE ANTICIPATED AND STALLED AS HE TRIED TO MANEUVER THROUGH THE TREES IN THE HIGH PASS. THE ACFT SETTLED INTO PINE TREES AND SNOW. THE PLT HIKED OUT TO A HIGHWAY FOR HELP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6134E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6134E-1984-05-07), registration cancelled 1984-05-07, S/N 17271993 (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: 71993
- Airframe hours: 2444
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Feldman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 23, 1983, 76 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Destination: TRK, TRUCKEE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## 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: 260 total, 158 in this make and model, 212 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 39 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19831201059519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831201059519A), Dec 1, 1983: Cessna 172N, Truckee, CA, Destroyed. Encountered low ceiling and fog trying to fly through a pass. Stall landed into trees and deep snow.

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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