# NTSB LAX87LA042: Cessna 120, N4085N, Columbia, CA, November 17, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1986, 11:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.110115, -120.379791 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1101&lon=-120.3798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25473
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25473/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - rudder - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- Nose down, taxi

## Analysis

AT THE BEGINNING OF A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT WHILE PRACTICING HIGH SPEED TAXIING FOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL FOR TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. UPON REACHING LIFTOFF SPEED, THE POWER WAS REDUCED TO IDLE. THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT RUDDER WAS APPLIED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND FULL LEFT RUDDER AND FORWARD STICK WERE APPLIED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4085N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4085N-2016-03-17), registration cancelled 2016-03-17, S/N 13543, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 120
- Registry model: [Cessna 120](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-120) (registry code 2071402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 13543
- Airframe hours: 5523
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Glenn W. Smith
- Registered owner: Robert Therkelsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 1986, 46 hours before
- Departed: 022
- Airport: 022, Columbia, runway 29, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 235 total, 38 in this make and model, 183 as pilot in command, 48 in the last 90 days, 43 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19861117079789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861117079789A), Nov 17, 1986: Cessna 120, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. While practicing high speed taxiing, the pilot lost control and the aircraft nosed over.

## Other investigations on N4085N (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 CHI74FEC18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI74FEC18), Oct 25, 1973: Cessna 120 (N4085N), Stockbridge, MI, 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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