# NTSB LAX86LA078: Cessna R172K, N7320K, Kamuela, HI, January 1, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 1, 1986, 11:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Kamuela, HI
- Coordinates: 20.040508, -155.699615 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=20.0405&lon=-155.6996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25046
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25046/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA078

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - hazardous weather advisory - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING TO AVIOD CLOUDS DURING A LOCAL SCENIC FLT. THE PLT STATED THAT TURBULENCE CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL AND THE ACFT WAS BLOWN INTO TREES. THE WINDS WERE FROM 050 DEGS AT 37 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 45 KTS. SIGMET OSCAR FIVE WAS IN EFFECT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WHICH FORECAST OCCASIONAL SEVERE TURBULENCEBELOW 9000 FT OVER AND IMMEDIATELY SOUTH THROUGH WEST OF ALL MOUNTAINS IN ALL OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7320K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7320K-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N R1722056, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722056
- Airframe hours: 3223
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-KB 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Al Merrill, doing business as Anuenue Aviation
- Registered owner: William H. Merrill, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 4, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: IAI, KEAHOLE, HI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,005 total, 581 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 37 knots, gusting 45
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MUE, 4 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 19860101000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860101000059A), Jan 1, 1986: Cessna R172K, Kamuela, HI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into clouds in attempt to get across a ridge. Turned to go back down valley and right wing hit a tree.

## Other investigations on N7320K (1)

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 LAX82DA190](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA190), May 21, 1982: Cessna 172XP (N7320K), Hilo, HI, 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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