# NTSB LAX87LA026: Cessna 172, Weed, CA, October 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 24, 1986, 12:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Weed, CA
- Coordinates: 41.51052, -122.360542 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5105&lon=-122.3605&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 4, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25462
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25462/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA026

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - false indication (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE ENGINE QUIT APPROXIMATELY 6 MILES NORTH OF WEED, CALIFORNIA. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN 150 FEET SHORT OF THE AIRPORT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED THAT BOTH FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY. THE PILOT STATED THAT BOTH FUEL GAGES INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANKS WERE 1/4 FULL, JUST PRIOR TO THE POWER LOSS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGZWK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270940
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. Giesel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WA09, BLAINE, WA
- Destination: 085, REDDING, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Weed

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 515 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 40,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 046

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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