# NTSB LAX85FVA02: Cessna 172, N5982A, Santa Nella, CA, May 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1985, 09:54 local (16:54 UTC)
- Place: Santa Nella, CA
- Location: 37.1012° N, 121.0157° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Santa Nella, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1012&lon=-121.0157&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24547
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FVA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24547/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FVA02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THE ACFT WAS CIRCLING OVER FARM LAND AT A LOW ALTAND WHILE IN A LEFT TURN, IT DESCENDED TO GROUND IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5982A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5982A-2013-02-08), registration cancelled 2013-02-08, S/N 28582, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28582
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 11212-D-6-8 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David G. Ross
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: 301, GUSTINE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 25 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 19850519018149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850519018149A), May 19, 1985: Cessna 172, Santa Nella, CA, Destroyed. Solo student circling farm collided with ground.

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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