# NTSB LAX86LA205: Cessna 172M, N9656V, Oakland, CA, May 3, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 3, 1986, 07:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Oakland, CA
- Location: 37.8044° N, 122.2708° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Oakland, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8044&lon=-122.2708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25148
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA205
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25148/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA205

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PLT TUNED IN THE HAYWARD ATIS & RECEIVED INFORMATION ALPHA, WHICH RPRTD THE WX WAS: 2200' SCATTERED,3000' OVERCAST & VISIBILITY 8 MI. AFTER TAKING OFF FROM RWY 28R, THE PLT CLIMBED TO ABOUT 650' & MADE A RGT TURN. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED CLOUDS & THE PLT TRIED TO RETURN TO THE HAYWARD ARPT. WHILE TRYING TO AVOID THE CLOUDS, HE 'ENDED UP . . . CLIMBING UP TO 1600 FEET.'  HE CONTACTED OAKLAND TOWER & TURNED EAST TOWARD THE OAKLAND HILLS, WHILE AVOIDING CONTROLLED AIRSPACE AT ALAMEDA. PERSONNEL AT OAKLAND TWR DID NOT HAVE RADAR CONTACT WITH THE ACFT & ASKED THE PLT TO CHANGE HIS TRANSPONDER CODE. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, AS THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING UNDER A CLOUD, THE ACFT HIT THE TOPS OF TREES & CAME TO REST AGAINST A LIGHT POLE. THE PLT ESTIMATED THE CRASH SITE WAS APRX 7 MILES NORTHEAST OF THE HAYWARD ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9656V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9656V-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 17264436 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17264436
- Airframe hours: 4520
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert C. Edwards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 25, 1985
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: 023, CHICO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 387 total, 123 in this make and model, 254 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 8 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 19860503015779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860503015779A), May 3, 1986: Cessna 172M, Oakland, CA, Substantial damage. Encountered low ceilings and fog after takeoff. Struck trees trying to climb over low fog layer. No weather brief.

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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