# NTSB LAX85LA165: Cessna 172, N12486, Orick, CA, March 4, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 4, 1985, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Orick, CA
- Coordinates: 41.349185, -124.039115 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3492&lon=-124.0391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE IN FLT AT 11,500 FT, THE PLT BEGAN A DESCENT. AS THE ACFT REACHED 2500 FT, THE ENG BEGAN SPUTTERING, THEN LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A WIRE FENCE AS THE PLT WAS APPROACHING TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE DESCENT, HE HAD TURNED ON THE CARB HEAT. HOWEVER, THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS FOUND IN THE OFF POSITION & THE CARB HEAT DOOR WAS CLOSED. NO PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 38 & 34 DEG, RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TO ICING PROBABILITY CURVES, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN A SERIOUS CARB ICING RANGE DURING THE DESCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12486 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172-62016
- Airframe hours: 6200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph Joseph, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1985, 0 hours before
- Departed: 085, REDDING, CA
- Destination: CEC, CRESCENT CITY, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CEC, Jack Mcnamara

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 616 total, 616 in this make and model, 494 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEC

## 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 19850304048549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850304048549A), Mar 4, 1985: Cessna 172M, Orick, CA, Destroyed. After descent, engine sputtered and quit. Struck fence during emergency landing. Probable carburetor ice.

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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