# NTSB LAX86LA095: Cessna 172, N6421E, Woodland, CA, January 19, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 19, 1986, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodland, CA
- Coordinates: 38.709907, -121.850204 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7099&lon=-121.8502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA095
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA095

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER SHORTLY AFTER LEVELING OFF AT ABOUT 1,000 MSL. THE POWER LOSS WAS SMOOTH AND RAPID. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE ACFT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY ENGINE COMPONENT MALFUNCTION AND/OR FAILURE. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 57 DEG F AND THE DEW POINT WAS ABOUT 51 DEG F. ACCORDING TO THE CARB ICING CURVE, THE ACFT WOULD HAVE ENCOUNTERED SERIOUS CARB ICING IN CRUISE OR CLIMB POWER SETTINGS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE DID NOT USE CARB HEAT PRIOR TO LOSS OF POWER OR DURING RESTART ATTEMPTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6421E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6421E), registered now, S/N 46521, built 1959 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 72-46521
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry E. Ridgel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 1985
- Departed: 2Q3, WOODLAND, CA
- Destination: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Airport: 203, Yolo County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 260 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 15 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 19860119000969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860119000969A), Jan 19, 1986: Cessna 172, Woodland, CA, Substantial damage. Power loss due to carburetor ice at cruise. Carburetor heat not used. Aircraft flipped over after landing in field.

## Other investigations on N6421E (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 CHI66F0204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI66F0204), Aug 23, 1965: Cessna 172 (N6421E), Nokomis, IL, 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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.