# NTSB LAX87FA057: Cessna 172N, N2371E, Santa Paula, CA, November 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1986, 10:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400947, -119.070693 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4009&lon=-119.0707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25361
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25361/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA057

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - comm/nav equipment,vhf transmitter/receiver - not installed (contributing factor)
  - communications - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedure inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A CESSNA 172 & A DEHAVILLAND GIPSY MOTH COLLIDED AT 150 FT. AGL WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE UNCONTROLLED ARPT. ON BASE LEG THE PLT FLYING THE MOTH FAILED TO OBSERVE & YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO THE CESSNA WHICH WAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ON THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE MOTH'S PLT TURNED ON TO FINAL APPROACH SLIGHTLY IN FRONT OF & ABOVE THE CESSNA. BETWEEN 5 - 10 SEC. LATER THE MOTH'S PROPELLER SLICED IN TO & PARTIALLY SEVERED AN OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING. THE CESSNA PLT HAD BROADCAST HIS POSITION WHILE IN THE DOWNWIND, BASE & FINAL APPROACH LEGS OF THE LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN. HOWEVER, THE ARPT HAD A PUBLISHED RIGHT-HAND PATTERN. THE MOTH WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A COMMUNICATION RADIO.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A CESSNA 172 & A DEHAVILLAND GIPSY MOTH COLLIDED AT 150 FT. AGL WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE UNCONTROLLED ARPT. ON BASE LEG THE PLT FLYING THE MOTH FAILED TO OBSERVE & YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO THE CESSNA WHICH WAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ONTHE FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE MOTH'S PLT TURNED ON TO FINAL APPROACH SLIGHTLY IN FRONT OF & ABOVE THE CESSNA. BETWEEN 5 - 10 SEC. LATER THE MOTH'S PROPELLER SLICED INTO & PARTIALLY SEVERED AN OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING. THE CESSNA PLT HAD BROADCAST HIS POSITION WHILE IN THE DOWNWIND, BASE & FINAL APPROACH LEGS OF THE LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN. HOWEVER, THE ARPT HAD A PUBLISHED RIGHT-HAND PATTERN. THE MOTH WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A COMMUNICATION RADIO.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N2371E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2371E), registered now, S/N 17271254 (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: 17271254
- Airframe hours: 1629
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Air Mobile, Inc.
- Registered owner: Edward T. Macgilfrey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 7, 1986, 25 hours before
- Departed: WHP, PACOIMA, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N1510V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1510V), registered now, S/N 506, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland GIPSY MOTH DH.60G (GIPSY MOTH)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland GIPSY MOTH DH.60G](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-gipsy-moth-dh-60g) (registry code 2800816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY GRP 3](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-grp-3) (registry code 20003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 506
- Airframe hours: 3740
- Engines: de Havilland GIPSY 2 105 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harlan L. Gurney
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 25, 1986, 18 hours before
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Destination: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Airport: SZP, Santa Paula, runway 4, 2,650 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N2371E; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 292 total, 32 in this make and model, 208 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N1510V; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,700 total, 131 in this make and model, 5,600 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19861128087331A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861128087331A), Nov 28, 1986: Cessna 172N, Santa Paula, CA, Substantial damage. Flew into path of N1510V while both were turning final. Right wing was hit by others prop. Made wrong pattern.
- [Accident 19861128062282A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861128062282A), Nov 28, 1986: Dhav DHC60G, Santa Paula, CA, Minor damage. Collided with N2371E while turning right final. Other aircraft was turning an incorrect left final.

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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