# NTSB LAX85LA363: Cessna 172N, N7338F, Turlock, CA, August 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1985, 20:45 local (Aug 23, 1985, 03:45 UTC)
- Place: Turlock, CA
- Coordinates: 37.470485, -120.850395 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4705&lon=-120.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24813
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA363
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24813/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA363

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not understood, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON AUGUST 22, 1985, A CESSNA 172N, N7338F, COLLIDED WITH A 3FT TALL POLE WHILE TAKING OFF FROM TURLOCK, CA. VMC EXISTED AT THE TIME. THE AC WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED AND THE PLT AND HIS 2 PAX WERE NOT INJURED. THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS ON THE RWY WHEN IN FACT HE WAS BETWEEN THE TAXIWAY AND THE RY. THE PLT BEGAN THE TAKEOFF, COLLIDED WITH THE POLE AND ABORTED THE TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7338F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7338F), registered now, S/N 17273251, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273251
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aviation Training Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Departed: 014
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Airport: 014, Turlock Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 470 total, 150 in this make and model, 310 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 330° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 12 nm away

## 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 19850822073029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850822073029A), Aug 22, 1985: Cessna 172N, Turlock, CA, Substantial damage. Struck pole between runway and taxiway during night takeoff roll. Landing light out. PIC unable to activate lights.

## Other investigations on N7338F (2)

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 LAX86LA196](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA196), Apr 27, 1986: Cessna 172N (N7338F), Columbia, CA, substantial damage
- [NTSB LAX84LA503](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA503), Sep 9, 1984: Cessna 172N (N7338F), Hayward, 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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