# NTSB LAX85LA028: Cessna 172, N61739, Palo Alto, CA, October 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1984, 19:45 local (Oct 22, 1984, 02:45 UTC)
- Place: Palo Alto, CA
- Coordinates: 37.450263, -122.100402 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4503&lon=-122.1004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA028

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose gear collapsed, landing

## Analysis

LOSS OF PWR OCCURRED ON FINAL APCH. ACFT CONTACTED A DIKE DURING FORCED LANDING COLLAPSING THE NOSE GEAR. PLT SAID DIRECT ROUTE WAS FLOWN AT 10,500 FT MSL DESCENDING LOWER AFTER CROSSING MOUNTAINOUS AREA. PLT DID NOT LEAN MIXTURE DURING FLT OR REPORT WHICH FUEL TANK WAS SELECTED WHEN POWER LOSS OCCURRED. 1 GAL FUEL WAS FOUND IN LEFT TANK AND 5 GALS IN RT TANK. UNUSABLE FUEL FOR EACH TANK IS 2 1/2 GALS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61739](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61739), registered now, S/N 17264765 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264765
- Airframe hours: 2540
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2H 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael Frankson
- Registered owner: Bob Fredericks
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 18, 1984, 22 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Airport: PAO, Palo Alto, runway 30, 2,500 × 65 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 281 total, 54 in this make and model, 178 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19841021060689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841021060689A), Oct 21, 1984: Cessna 172M, Palo Alto, CA, Substantial damage. Engine power loss due to fuel exhaustion on final. Landed short striking a dyke.

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.