# NTSB LAX86LA210: Cessna 172N, N738JE, Clearlake, CA, April 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1986, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Clearlake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.959949, -122.640472 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9599&lon=-122.6405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25151
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25151/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA210

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained

## Analysis

THE FLT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) SAID HE WAS INSTRUCTING THE STUDENT IN HOW TO JUDGE A STRAIGHT-IN APPROACH AND LANDING TO A DOCK WITH MINIMAL TAXIING REQUIRED. DURING THE APPROACH, THE CFI DETERMINED THAT THE STUDENT WAS OVERSHOOTING THE DESIRED TOUCHDOWN POINT, SO HE TOLD THE STUDENT TO MAKE A GO-AROUND. A NORMAL GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED IN ADDITION TO A RIGHT TURN. AFTER 8 TO 10 SECONDS ON THE CROSSWIND LEG, ANOTHER RIGHT TURN WAS STARTED TO TAKE THE AIRCRAFT OUT TOWARD THE MOUTH OF THE BAY. THE CFI STATED THAT AFTER 2 TO 3 SECONDS IN THE TURN,'  THE AIRCRAFT ABRUPTLY BANKED LEFT, LOST ALTITUDE AND THE LEFT WING DUG INTO THE WATER.'  HE ALSO STATED THAT THE LAKE WAS SURROUNDED BY HILLS THAT ROSE 3,000 FT OR MORE ABOVE THE LAKE LEVEL, AND THAT 'STRONG UPPER LEVEL WINDS, ROLL TURBULENCE AND SHIFTING GUSTING WINDS CAN OCCUR NEAR THE SHORE OF THE LAKE.'  REPORTEDLY, AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, THE WINDS WERE FROM 240 DEGS, VARIABLE TO 290 DEGS AT 10 GUSTING 15 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738JE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738JE-2013-07-23), registration cancelled 2013-07-23, S/N 17270007, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270007
- Airframe hours: 3226
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Boynton'S Flying Service
- Registered owner: David J. Boynton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 1986, 12 hours before
- Airport: Q78, Skylark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,970 total, 62 in this make and model, 1,850 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19860430017659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860430017659A), Apr 30, 1986: Cessna STC172, Clearlake, CA, Substantial damage. The floatplane was rocked by gusty winds during a go around. Wingtip struck the water. Aircraft settled onto water.

## Other investigations on N738JE (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC07FA193](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07FA193), Aug 16, 2007: Cessna 172N (N738JE), Rochester, NY, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failuire to maitain adequate airspeed during a turning maneuver which resulted in an inadvertent stall.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.