# NTSB LAX85LA114: Cessna 172E, N3820S, San Carlos, AZ, January 18, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1985, 17:40 local (Jan 18, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: San Carlos, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.539772, -110.47087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5398&lon=-110.4709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24637
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24637/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA114

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PLT OVER ROTATED THE ACFT WHILE PRACTICING A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF. IN AN ATTEMPT TO GAIN AIRSPEED THE ACFT STALLED AND IMPACTED THE RWY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3820S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3820S), registered now, S/N 17251020, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-d) (registry code 17176, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251020
- Airframe hours: 2894
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brien R. Mcwilliams
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1984
- Departed: 24E
- Airport: 24E, San Corlos, runway 32, 7,200 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 26 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 36 °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 19850117002489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850117002489A), Jan 17, 1985: Cessna 172E, San Carlos, AZ, Substantial damage. Over rotated during solo soft field takeoff. Impacted ground on side of runway.

## Other investigations on N3820S (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 OAK71FVM07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71FVM07), Aug 11, 1970: Cessna 172 (N3820S), Palo Alto, CA, substantial damage

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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