# NTSB LAX85FVG02: Cessna 172, N6167E, Auburn, CA, April 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: April 6, 1985, 20:00 local (Apr 7, 1985, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, CA
- Coordinates: 38.919788, -121.069198 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9198&lon=-121.0692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24551
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FVG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24551/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FVG02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, descent
  - object - tree(s)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO TREES DURING AN APPROACH TO LAND AFTER SUNSET. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS DESCENDING FROM 10,500 FT THRU 5000 FT WITH THE ARPT IN SIGHT AS WELL AS THE LIGHTS OF SACRAMENTO, CA. HE DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT BUT REMEMBERS HIS WIFE WAS ASLEEP AND THE DOG IN BACK TRIED TO GET UP FRONT, WHICH HE LATER THOUGHT UNUSUAL. THE FLT LASTED AN HOUR AND THE HEATER WAS ON DURING THE FLT BUT TESTS FOR CO2 DAYS LATER WERE INCONCLUSIVE. POST ACC EXAM OF THE ACFT EXHAUST SYSTEM SHOWED NO MALFUNCTION. THE CRASH SITE WAS AOBUT 2 MILES FROM THE ARPT. THE ACFT CRASHED INVERTED ABOUT 100 FT FROM THE FIRST TREE IMPACT POINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6167E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17246267
- Airframe hours: 2560
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gerald Martin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 11, 1984, 130 hours before
- Departed: FLX, FALLON, NV
- Destination: AUN, AUBURN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 191 total, 191 in this make and model, 165 as pilot in command, 39 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19850406010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850406010989A), Apr 6, 1985: Cessna 172, Auburn, CA, Destroyed. Struck trees on approach to airport. Carbon monoxide in both occupants, but no malfunction found in exhaust system.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.