# NTSB LAX86LA171: Cessna 172D, N2762U, Mojave, CA, April 10, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1986, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Mojave, CA
- Coordinates: 35.07077, -118.179206 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0708&lon=-118.1792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25117
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25117/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA171

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, flight instructor(on ground) (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WING STRUCK A TREE DURING TAXI ON A DIRT ROAD BEING USED FOR TAKEOFF. THE CFI SAID THAT HE DID NOT MAKE A SURVEY TO IDENTIFY OBSTRUCTIONS BEFORE THE TAXI FOR TAKEOFF. THE ACFT HAD LANDED ON THE ROAD WHEN THE CFI COULD NOT REGAIN ENG POWER FOLLOWING A SIMULATED EMERGENCY PROCEDURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2762U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2762U), registered now, S/N 17250362, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250362
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A8-215-B7F 215 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy P. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 25, 1986, 20 hours before
- Departed: TSP, TEHACHAPI, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,100 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,900 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EWD, 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 19860410011989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860410011989A), Apr 10, 1986: Cessna 172D, Mojave, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to restart engine after shutdown. Forced landing. Hit a tree while taxing on a dirt road for takeoff.

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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