# NTSB LAX86LA230: Cessna 172B, N7176T, Tracy, CA, May 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1986, 20:00 local (May 18, 1986, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.729419, -121.420379 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7294&lon=-121.4204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA230
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA230

## 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
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT VEERED OFF A RURAL DIRT ROAD BEING USED AS AN AIRSTRIP AND NOSED OVER IN A FARM FIELD. THE PLT INDICATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A NARROW DIRT FARM ROAD WHEN THE ACFT VEERED INTO A FRESHLY PLOWED AND IRRIGATED TOMATO FIELD. THE NOSE GEAR SANK AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE DIRT ROAD WAS APRX 10 FT WIDE. THE OPERATORS MANUAL FOR THE CESSNA 172A ILLISTRATES THE WIDTH OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR AS 7 FT 2 INCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7176T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7176T), registered now, S/N 46776 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172a) (registry code 2072404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17246776
- Airframe hours: 2651
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Larry J Fistolera
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1985, 32 hours before
- Departed: TRACY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 574 total, 409 in this make and model, 499 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19860517023819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860517023819A), May 17, 1986: Cessna 172B, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Veered off narrow dirt road on landing and nosed over in a plowed field.

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.