# NTSB LAX86LA281: Cessna 175, N7108M, Atwater, CA, July 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1986, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Atwater, CA
- Coordinates: 37.320957, -120.630294 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3210&lon=-120.6303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25205
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25205/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA281

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent - normal
  - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - leak (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
  - engine assembly - failure,total (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

A CESSNA 175 COLLIDED WITH A TREE AFTER A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER DURING A VFR X-COUNTRY FLT. THE PLT INDICATED HE EXPERIENCED AN ENG FAILURE AT 2,000 FT MSL, WHILE ON DESCENT, APRX 15 MI FROM HIS DEST. HE REPORTED THAT THE ENG BEGAN TO VIBRATE SLIGHTLY. THE VIBRATIONS RAPIDLY BECAME WORSE, THEN THE ENG STOPPED SUDDENLY, AND SMOKE ENTERED THE COCKPIT. THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND AND SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD BOUNDED BY AN ALMOND ORCHARD. WHILE ON FINAL APCH, THE LEFT WING DIPPED AND STRUCK AN ALMOND TREE CAUSING THE ACFT TO LAND SHORT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON THE EDGE OF AN OPEN FIELD WHERE IT NOSED OVER IN A DITCH. THE ENG OIL SYST HAD BEEN MODIFIED WITH PLUMBING THAT ADDED A LINE WHICH EXTENDED THE DRAIN FROM THE DRAIN PLUG TO BELOW THE ENG COWLING. THE LINE WAS PLUGGED AT THE COWLING END AND THERE WAS NO PETCOCK TO RESTRICT THE OIL FROM DRAINING WHEN THE PLUG WAS REMOVED. THERE WAS A LEAK AT ONE OF THE FITTING WELDS WHICH ALLOWED THE ENG OIL TO FLOW OUT. NO OIL WAS FOUND IN THE ENG OIL SYST WHEN IT WAS EXAMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7108M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7108M-1989-10-06), registration cancelled 1989-10-06, S/N 55408 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 175
- Registry model: [Cessna 175](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-175) (registry code 2072502) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 55408
- Airframe hours: 2428
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GO-300-A 175 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Milford Edwards
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1985, 23 hours before
- Departed: VIS, VISALIA, CA
- Destination: 015, TURLOCK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 114 total, 64 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 5 nm away

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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