# NTSB LAX87LA118: Cessna 172RG, N4590V, San Diego, CA, February 19, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1987, 18:14 local (Feb 19, 1987, 02:14 UTC)
- Place: San Diego, CA
- Coordinates: 32.799255, -117.130386 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7993&lon=-117.1304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25523
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25523/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA118

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE PILOT RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT TO PRACTICE TOUCH-AND-GO LANDINGS. ON TAKE-OFF, ASCENDING THROUGH 200 FEET, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SURGE THEN QUIT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON AN OCCUPIED ROAD WHERE THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SEVERAL AUTOMOBILES. THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED AND PLACED ON AN ENGINE RUN STAND AND WAS OPERATED AT DIFFERENT POWER SETTING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUTES. FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4590V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4590V-1990-03-02), registration cancelled 1990-03-02, S/N 172RG0329 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0329
- Airframe hours: 1260
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fun Birds Flying Club
- Registered owner: Oakley W. Baron
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 14, 1986, 60 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Airport: runway 28, 3,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 399 total, 54 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 70° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYF, 1 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 19870218002869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870218002869A), Feb 18, 1987: Cessna 172RG, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Engine surges on takeoff. Aircraft struck autos during forced landing on a road. No mechanical malfunctions found.

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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