# NTSB LAX84LA148: Cessna 172, N54042, Oakland, CA, January 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1984, 12:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Coordinates: 37.989578, -121.810203 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9896&lon=-121.8102&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA148
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA148

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent - normal
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH WIRES DURING A DESCENT THROUGH THE CLOUDS. THE STUDENT PLT HAD FOUND HIMSELF ON TOP OF AN OVERCAST AND MANAGED TO DESCEND THROUGH IT BUT IN DOING SO A POWER LINE WAS HIT. THE PLT CLIMBED BACK ON TOP AND CONTINUED TO DESTINATION WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54042](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54042-2018-04-24), registration cancelled 2018-04-24, S/N 17274856, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172 74836
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-02J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sierra Academy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 18, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: OAK
- Destination: OAK
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 31 total, 31 in this make and model, 6 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast

## 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 19840120001089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840120001089A), Jan 20, 1984: Cessna 172P, Oakland, CA, Substantial damage. During letdown through weather, aircraft collided with wires. Pilot was able to climb out, return to home airport.

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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