# NTSB LAX87FAMS4: Cessna 172P, N65797, Missing Acft, CA, August 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Missing aircraft · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1987, 17:00 local (Aug 30, 1987, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Missing Acft, CA
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FAMS4
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FAMS4

## Sequence of events

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

- Missing aircraft, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOLD FAMILY AND FRIENDS THAT HE WAS GOING TO FLY ALONG THE COAST AND RETURN AT NIGHT. HE DID NOT RETURN. THE CIVIL AIR PATROL SEARCHED FOR THE AIRCRAFT AND PILOT FOR SEVERAL DAYS WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED AT VAN NUYS AIRPORT, VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA, ON AUGUST 29, 1987, AT 1700 PDT. THE AIRCRAFT IS PRESUMED TO BE DESTROYED AND THE PILOT FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N65797](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N65797-1995-09-08), registration cancelled 1995-09-08, S/N 17275893 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17275893
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-02 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Green Hornets Aviation
- Registered owner: Harold J. Margolis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 11, 1987
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,355 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Wind: 300° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Observed at: VNY

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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