# NTSB LAX85LA398: Cessna 172N, N4840G, Huntington Bch, CA, September 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 21, 1985, 11:04 local (18:04 UTC)
- Place: Huntington Bch, CA
- Coordinates: 33.710857, -118.040489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7109&lon=-118.0405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24841
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA398
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24841/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA398

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - carburetor heat control,linkage - improper (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT HE ABORTED HIS FIRST TAKEOFF BECAUSE OF REDUCED ACCELERATION. HE TAXIED BACK, VIA A PARALLEL TAXIWAYAND MADE RUN-ON TYPE TAKEOFF. HE SAID THAT AS THE ACFT CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF APRX 50 TO 60 FT ABOVE THE RWY HE HEARD A THUD AND THE AIRSPEED DROPPED. HE SAID HIS ALT WAS TOO LOW TO ATTEMPT A TURN FOR THE RWY OR FLY OVER A TWO STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING AHEAD OF HIS POSITION. HE ELECTED TO FLY THE ACFT INTO A LARGE GLASS WINDOW IN THE COMMERCIAL BUILDING. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING A POST ACCIDENT TEST RUN. IT WAS NOTED HOWEVER, THE CARB HEAT VALVE COULD NOT BE MOVED TO THE FULL OFF POSITION. WEIGTH & BALANCE CALCULATIONS INDICATE THE ACFT WAS 174 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AT TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4840G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4840G-1989-03-14), registration cancelled 1989-03-14, S/N 17273387 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273387
- Airframe hours: 2070
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Marvin R. Grimmett, doing business as Ray-Gean Bull Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 14, 1985, 1 hours before
- Departed: L16, HUNTINGTON BCH, CA
- Airport: L16, Meadowlark, runway 19, 2,330 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 245 total, 93 in this make and model, 185 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA

## 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 19850921048309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850921048309A), Sep 21, 1985: Cessna 172N, Huntington Beac, CA, Substantial damage. On takeoff, heard thud. Airspeed decreased. Hit buildings window. Carburetor heat door not closed. Overweight.

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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