# NTSB LAX86LA174: Cessna 172N, N6235D, Mesa, AZ, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1986, 09:34 local (16:34 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.429843, -111.710815 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4298&lon=-111.7108&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): 25120
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25120/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING A TOUCH AND GO MANEUVER AND RAN OFF THE RWY. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT LIFTED BACK OFF THE GROUND AND DRIFTED RIGHT. THE ACFT THEN SETTLED AND TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE RWY. THE PLT THEN NOTICED A DRAINAGE DITCH AND ATTEMPTED A GO-AROUND BY ADDING PWR. THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AGAIN, CLEARED THE DITCH AND IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW, RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE PLT INDICATED ON HIS PILOT/OPERATOR ACCIDENT REPORT THAT THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH STOL WINGTIPS AND THAT HE HAD LOGGED A TOTAL OF 4.5 HRS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL. HE ALSO STATED, 'I THINK I MAY HAVE STALLED THE AIRCRAFT.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6235D (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272653
- Airframe hours: 2755
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-HDA2 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Arizona Aviation
- Registered owner: Michael Roberti
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 13, 1986, 63 hours before
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 4L, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 81 total, 5 in this make and model, 31 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFZ

## 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 19860412011549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860412011549A), Apr 12, 1986: Cessna 172N, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Landed with light crosswind. Veered off runway side, heading towards ditch. Tried go around, stalled, hit ground.

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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