# NTSB LAX86FA099: Cessna 172A, N7672T, Strathmore, CA, January 26, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 26, 1986, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Strathmore, CA
- Coordinates: 36.139663, -119.090766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1397&lon=-119.0908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24896
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24896/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA099

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

UPON RETURNING TO HIS HOME AIRPORT, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE RUNWAY DUE TO HEAVY FOG COVERING THE AREA. HE ENTERED A RIGHT DESCENDING TURN IN AN ATTEMPT TO DESCEND UNDER THE FOG. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH ORANGE TREES APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE FROM THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7672T (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47282
- Airframe hours: 4451
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lindsay Strathmore Flyers Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 27, 1985, 60 hours before
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: 1Q1, STRATHMORE, CA
- Airport: 1Q1, Eckert

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 103 total, 16 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VIS, 20 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 19860126001189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860126001189A), Jan 26, 1986: Cessna 172A, Strathmore, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control descending into fog bank attempting to locate airport. Struck orange trees.

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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