# NTSB LAX87LA061: Cessna 182Q, N759DH, San Rafael, CA, December 6, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 6, 1986, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: San Rafael, CA
- Coordinates: 38.099815, -122.629173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0998&lon=-122.6292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA061
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA061

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - autopilot/flight director - engaged
  - checklist - not followed (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not attained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not attained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PILOT WAS NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY WITH THE RUNWAY. THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI) TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT ON FINAL, BUT HE STATED THAT IT DID NOT RESPOND WHEN HE APPLIED RUDDER CONTROL. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE RIGHT, RAN OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. NO MECHANICAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND WITH THE RUDDER CONTROL. THE CESSNA NAVOMATIC AUTOPILOT WAS FOUND TO BE IN THE 'ON' POSITION. IT WAS AN ELECTRIC, SINGLE-AXIS, AILERON CONTROL UNIT THAT DID NOT AFFECT RUDDER CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759DH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759DH), registered now, S/N 18265907, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 82-65907
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl D. Anger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: APC, NAPA, CA
- Destination: CA35
- Airport: CA35, Smith Ranch, runway 22, 2,138 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 29,475 total, 5,463 in this make and model, 16,551 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 11 nm away

## 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 19861206067039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861206067039A), Dec 6, 1986: Cessna 182Q, San Rafael, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway onlanding. The instructor failed to take timely control from the student.

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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