# NTSB LAX85FA086: Cessna 172N, N5184D, Livermore, CA, December 26, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1984, 11:06 local (19:06 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.679515, -121.750961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6795&lon=-121.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24449
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA086
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24449/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA086

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT DEPARTED THE ARPT ON A SPECIAL VFR CLEARANCE. WX AT THE TIME WAS 1,000 OVERCAST, 2.5 MILES IN LIGHT RAIN AND FOG. ACFT TURNED EASTBOUND FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY TOWARD A PASS IN THE HILLS TO THE EAST AND COLLIDED WITH THE RISING TERRAIN ABOUT MID-WAY THROUGH THE PASS. WITNESSES DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY REPORTED THE PASS WAS OBSCURED IN 'CLOUDS, FOG AND RAIN' AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5184D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5184D-2013-04-18), registration cancelled 2013-04-18, S/N 17272440, built 1979 (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: 17272440
- Airframe hours: 1868
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Travis Afb Aero Club
- Registered owner: Robert C. St. Denis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 20, 1984, 91 hours before
- Departed: LVK, LIVERMORE, CA
- Destination: 8Q0, TRAVIS AFB, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 107 total, 105 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVK, 8 nm away

## 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 19841226068059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841226068059A), Dec 26, 1984: Cessna 172N, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft wing struck hillside as VFR pilot attempted to go through narrowing portion of cloud obscured pass.

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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