# NTSB LAX84LA471: Cessna 172N, N738PS, Stockton, CA, September 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1984, 20:58 local (Sep 28, 1984, 03:58 UTC)
- Place: Stockton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.900447, -121.399444 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9004&lon=-121.3994&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24393
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA471
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24393/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA471

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - roll/run
  - aborted takeoff - initiated, pilot in command
  - lift-off - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - runway

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PILOT AT 50 KTS ROTATION WAS ATTEMPTED BUT UNSUCCESSFUL. AT 70 KTS THE TAKEOFF ABORT WAS INITIATED BY REDUCING POWER. AT THAT TIME THE ACFT 'JUMPED' INTO THE AIR AT ABOUT A 45 DEGREE NOSE UP ATTITUDE. THE PILOT THE PUSHED THE YOKE FORWARD AND THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE RWY NOSE GEAR FIRST. INVESTIGATORS FOUND NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS IN THE FLIGHT CONTROL SYSTEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738PS-2022-07-30), registration cancelled 2022-07-30, S/N 17270136 (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: 17270136
- Airframe hours: 450
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A. Vargo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1983, 27 hours before
- Departed: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Airport: SCK, Strockton Metropolitan, runway 29R, 8,650 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 446 total, 446 in this make and model, 401 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 315° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19840927075999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840927075999A), Sep 27, 1984: Cessna 172N, Stockton, CA, Substantial damage. Could not rotate at 50 KIAS. At 70 KTS became airborne, pitched up. Pilot lowered nose, dived to runway.

## Other investigations on N738PS (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX96LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA237), Jun 5, 1996: Cessna 172N (N738PS), Ramona, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudged and delayed landing flare, and inadequate recovery technique from a bounced landing (porpoise). Sun glare was a factor in the accident.

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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