# NTSB LAX86FA240: Cessna 177B, N35252, Fullerton, CA, June 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1986, 06:18 local (13:18 UTC)
- Place: Fullerton, CA
- Location: 33.8795° N, 117.9648° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8795&lon=-117.9648&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24917
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24917/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA240

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A FLT TO PROVIDE TRAFFIC REPORTS TO A LOCAL BROADCASTING STATION. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT SHORTLY AFTERTAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK ANGLE, THEN PLUMMETED TOWARD THE GND. WHILE STILL IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, IT CRASHED INTO A TRACTOR-TRAILER RIG & BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME & ENG DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE ENG ACCESSORIES WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE. AN EXAM OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT IT WAS TURNING WITH SOME POWER BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & BRAIN TISSUE SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.04% & 0.05%, RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N35252](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N35252-1989-10-19), registration cancelled 1989-10-19, S/N 17702291 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177-02291
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce F. Talford
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 20, 1985
- Departed: FUL
- Airport: FUL, Fullerton, runway 6, 3,210 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FUL

## 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 19860604021369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860604021369A), Jun 4, 1986: Cessna 177B, Fullerton, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost power after takeoff. Aircraft stalled and hit a truck. Suspect pilot intoxication and poor preflight.

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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