# NTSB LAX84LA397: Cessna 172 M, N20333, Woodland Hills, CA, July 16, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1984, 20:13 local (Jul 16, 1984, 03:13 UTC)
- Place: Woodland Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 34.169559, -118.609008 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1696&lon=-118.6090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24342
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA397
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24342/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA397

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,carburetor - previous damage (cause)
  - maintenance - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - passenger briefing - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole(marked) (contributing factor)
  - misc eqpt/furnishings,shoulder harness - not engaged (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON CITY STREET AFTER A PARTIAL POWER LOSS. THE PRIVATE PLT WAS CARRYING PASSENGERS AND HAD REPORTEDLY NOT BRIEFED THEM ON EMERGENCIES. HE ALSO DID NOT FASTEN HIS SHOULDER HARNESS BECAUSE HE DID NOT KNOW HOW TO CONNECT IT. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT CLIMBED TO 3500 FT. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WENT TO IDLE RPM. THE PLT REVERSED COURSE AND CALLED THE TOWER. HE PUMPED THE THROTTLE TRYING TO GET POWER. A POLICEMAN WHO OBSERVED THE DESCENDING ACFT SAID IT WAS GOING SLOW WITH BLACK SMOKE TRAILING IT. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES, POLES AND A FENCE. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CARBURETOR HAD FAILED. 5 DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT THE OWNER HAD SAFETY WIRED THE CARBURETOR TO HOLD IT TOGETHER SINCE THE SCREWS WERE STRIPPED. IT WAS ALSO FOUND THAT THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT CESSNA PRODUCTS AND THE SHOULDER HARNESS WOULD NOT ATTACH TO THE LAP BELTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20333 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17261198
- Airframe hours: 5756
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John Brown, doing business as John Brown Enterprises
- Registered owner: Sally Rice & Bill Roderick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 52 total, 3 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19840715036329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840715036329A), Jul 15, 1984: Cessna 172M, Woodland Hills, CA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Force landed on a street striking trees and fences. Carburetor bowl screws stripped and loose.

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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