# NTSB LAX86LA153: Cessna 172N, N4863F, Lakeport, CA, March 25, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 25, 1986, 15:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: Lakeport, CA
- Coordinates: 39.040359, -122.930175 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0404&lon=-122.9302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25102
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA153
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25102/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA153

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,steering system - overload
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THEY OBSERVED THE PLT MAKE 2 APPROACHES AND LANDINGS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ON THE LANDING JUST BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THEY OBSERVED AN 'EXTREMELY HARD LANDING ON THE NOSE GEAR.'  THEY REPORTED THAT THE PLT THEN TAXIED BACK TO TAKEOFF WITHOUT STOPPING TO EXAMINE THE ACFT. ON THE NEXT LANDING, JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE NOSE GEAR 'STARTED TO SHIMMY.'  THE ACFT THEN VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY & ENCOUNTERED A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4863F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4863F-1989-03-30), registration cancelled 1989-03-30, S/N 17273091 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273091
- Airframe hours: 1586
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boynton'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: John Tanti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 1985, 41 hours before
- Airport: 102, Lampson, runway 28, 3,450 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 17; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 66 total, 3 in this make and model, 36 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: UKI, 16 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 19860325007599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860325007599A), Mar 25, 1986: Cessna 172N, Lakeport, CA, Substantial damage. The nose wheel was damaged by repeated hard landings. The pilot failed to check damage. Aircraft veered off runway.

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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