# NTSB LAX85LA308: Cessna 172, N1280F, Vacaville, CA, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1985, 17:20 local (Jul 7, 1985, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.40979, -122.009078 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4098&lon=-122.0091&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA308
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA308

## 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
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES STATED THAT, ON DEPARTURE, THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 50 FEET, APPEARED TO STALL, AND CRASHED ON THE RUNWAY. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED AS GUSTY, FROM 15 TO 22 KNOTS, AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 95 DEGREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1280F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1280F-1992-01-17), registration cancelled 1992-01-17, S/N 17272984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272984
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Neal
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA
- Airport: 045, Nut Tree, runway 19, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 322 total, 302 in this make and model, 235 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 15 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19850706033279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850706033279A), Jul 6, 1985: Cessna 172N, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled and impacted runway during a downwind takeoff in strong gusty winds.

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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