# NTSB LAX86LA217: Cessna 172N, N734TE, Thermal, CA, May 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1986, 12:52 local (19:52 UTC)
- Place: Thermal, CA
- Coordinates: 33.47998, -116.100013 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4800&lon=-116.1000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25158
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25158/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA217

## 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)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS RETURNING TO THERMAL AIRPORT, THERMAL, CA AFTER COMPLETING A ROUND ROBIN SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT. WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 30 THE STUDENT ENCOUNTERED A 90 DEGREE RIGHT CROSSWIND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER. THE STUDENT PILOT REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE POST-ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING MALFUNCTIONS AND/OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N734TE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N734TE), registered now, S/N 17269094, built 1977 (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: 17269094
- Airframe hours: 1673
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Viair
- Registered owner: Youngblood, William M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, January 2, 1986, 40 hours before
- Departed: APV, APPLE VALLEY, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: TRM, Thermal, runway 30, 5,000 × 200 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 37 total, 37 in this make and model, 7 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM

## 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 19860513016949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860513016949A), May 13, 1986: Cessna 172N, Thermal, CA, Substantial damage. Overshot the end of the runway and flipped over in soft sand. Student was landing in a strong crosswind.

## Other investigations on N734TE (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 OAK78DVA07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVA07), Oct 28, 1978: Cessna 172N (N734TE), Huron, CA, substantial damage

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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