# NTSB LAX86LA336: Cessna 172E, N3651S, Lower Lake, CA, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1986, 19:05 local (Aug 30, 1986, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Lower Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 38.879112, -122.5503 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8791&lon=-122.5503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA336
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA336

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - supervision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE DEPARTED ON A LOCAL SIGHT-SEEING FLIGHT AT LOWER LAKE, CALIFORNIA. A NONCURRENT COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS FLYING THE AIRPLANE; THE PIC, A CURRENT COMMERCIAL PILOT, WAS OCCUPYING THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH SOME 12-FOOT HIGH MANZANITA BUSHES ABT 1/4 MILE SOUTHEAST OF THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 30. THE PILOT FLYING THE AIRPLANE REPORTED THAT THE PIC PULLED OFF THE POWER WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH AND THE AIRPLANE CRASHED; THE RIGHT REAR SEAT PASSENGER CONFIRMED THE PILOT'S STATEMENT. THE PIC REPORTED THAT HE WAS NOT THE PIC AND THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS NOT CURRENT. THE PIC OWNS THE AIRPLANE. THE PIC FURTHER REPORTED THAT WHEN ON FINAL APPROACH THE AIRPLANE WAS TOO LOW AND HE ADVISED THE PILOT ACCORDINGLY. HE THEN TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND DURING THE INTERVAL THE AIRPLANE LOST 100 FEET OF ALTITUDE AND COLLIDED WITH THE HIGH MANZANITA BUSHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3651S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3651S-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 17250851, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250851
- Airframe hours: 3800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 SER 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: James Lavigne
- Registered owner: Jim And Gayle Lavigne
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1986, 12 hours before
- Airport: 209, Lower Lake, runway 30, 2,485 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 3,599 total, 53 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19860829043369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860829043369A), Aug 29, 1986: Cessna 172E, Lower Lake, CA, Substantial damage. Struck trees short of the runway. Left seat pilot too low on final. Right seat pilot took over but blames other.

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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