# NTSB LAX86LA334: Cessna 172, N8976B, Oroville, CA, August 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1986, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Oroville, CA
- Coordinates: 39.499069, -121.669235 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4991&lon=-121.6692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25242
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA334
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25242/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA334

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - light condition - daylight
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - airspeed(vmc) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 172 FLEW LOW OVER A RESERVOIR WITH THE ENGINE STOPPED.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A HARD RIGHT TURN STALL AND DESCEND INTO THE WATER. THE UNINJURED PILOT EXITED THE SINKING AIRCRAFT AND WAS RESCUED BY SOME NEARBY FISHERMEN. THEY TOOK THE PILOT TO THE SHORE, DROPPED HIM OFF, AND HE HASN'T BEEN HEARD FROM SINCE THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN 300 FEET OF WATER. IT WAS NOT REPORTED WHETHER THE ACFT WAS EVER RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8976B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8976B-2013-03-11), registration cancelled 2013-03-11, S/N 36676, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 36676
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard L Omdahl
- Registered owner: Sale Reported
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860818086529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860818086529A), Aug 18, 1986: Cessna 172, Oroville, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft ditched in a lake after engine failure. The pilot abandoned aircraft. No record of pilot certificate.

## Other investigations on N8976B (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 MKC78DER98](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC78DER98), Sep 22, 1978: Cessna 172 (N8976B), Warren, MN, 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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