# NTSB LAX84LA384: Cessna 172N, N6301E, Chester, CA, July 6, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1984, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Chester, CA
- Coordinates: 40.269706, -121.239204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2697&lon=-121.2392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24334
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA384
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24334/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA384

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO TAKEOFF ON RWY 15 WITH A WIND FROM THE WEST AT 15 GUSTING TO 25 KTS. ALSO, THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMP WAS 94 DEG & THE DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 7800 FT. THE PLT STATED THAT ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN THE RWY, THE ACFT LIFTED OFF IN THE STRONG X-WIND. HE STATED, 'WE FELT THAT IT WAS READY TO CLIMB OUT. BECAUSE OF THE TEMPERATURE AND ALTITUDE, WE REALLY NEEDED A LONGER GROUND ROLL. 'SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT SETTLED ON THE SIDE OF THE RWY & THE PLT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. BEFORE STOPPING, THE ACFT HIT A BOULDER & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6301E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6301E), registered now, S/N 17272004 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272004
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Falcon Aviation
- Registered owner: Ladell C Sandy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Airport: 005, Chester, runway 15, 5,380 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 total, 130 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point -0 °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 19840706030649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840706030649A), Jul 6, 1984: Cessna 172N, Chester, CA, Substantial damage. Severe crosswind blew aircraft off the runway after liftoff. Struck rocks. Had a quartering tailwind component.

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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