# NTSB LAX86LA117: Cessna 172P, N55386, Ontario, CA, February 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 11, 1986, 19:42 local (Feb 12, 1986, 03:42 UTC)
- Place: Ontario, CA
- Coordinates: 34.020362, -117.580642 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0204&lon=-117.5806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25073
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25073/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA117

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - comm/nav equipment,localizer receiver - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper (cause)
  - planned approach - not identified, other crewmember (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE OWNER/PLT (PIC) WAS ON A FLT FOR NIGHT & INSTRUMENT CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS. HE WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE LEFT FRONT SEAT WHILE A COMMERCIAL PLT (CP) WAS OCCUPYING THE RGT FRONT SEAT. DRG AN ILS RWY 26L FINAL APCH AT ONTARIO, CA, THE PIC & CP DISCUSSED A CONSTANT 'ON GLIDE SLOPE' INDICATION & ELECTED TO MAKE A LOCALIZER ONLY APCH. THE CP MISTAKENLYSELECTED AN INCORRECT APCH PLATE & ADVISED THE PIC THAT THE MIN DSCNT ALT (MDA) WAS 1060'. THE ACTUAL MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1240'. WHILE THEY WERE DISCUSSING THE ALT, THE ACFT DSCNDD & STRUCK ELEC TRANSMISSION LINES AT AN ELEV OF 992'. THE ACFT BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE LINES & REMAINED SUSPENDED FOR 4 HRS BEFORE THE PLTS WERE RESCUED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55386](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55386-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 17275172 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275172
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dean W. Plath
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 14, 1985
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: ONT
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ONT, Ontario Intl, runway 26L, 10,200 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,232 total, 248 in this make and model, 1,167 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 2 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 19860211019719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860211019719A), Feb 11, 1986: Cessna 172P, Ontario, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft descended below mda and hit powerlines. Instructor misread approach minimums after glideslope failure

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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