# NTSB LAX87LA228: Cessna 120, N76546, Fresno, CA, June 7, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1987, 22:50 local (Jun 7, 1987, 05:50 UTC)
- Place: Fresno, CA
- Coordinates: 36.809261, -119.749687 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8093&lon=-119.7497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25605
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA228
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25605/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA228

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

A CESSNA 120 LANDED LEFT OF THE RUNWAY ON A ROUGH DIRT AREA AND NOSED OVER. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE AIRPORT IS NOT LIGHTED. THE RUNWAY IS EQUIPPED WITH WHITE REFLECTORS AND THE TAXIWAYS ARE EQUIPPED WITH AMBER REFLECTORS. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS UNABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE DIFFERENCE IN THE COLORED REFLECTORS WHILE IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT ALIGNED THE AIRCRAFT WITH AMBER PARALLEL TAXIWAY REFLECTORS ON THE LEFT AND WHITE RUNWAY REFLECTORS ON THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN ON A PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY JUST PAST AMBER REFLECTORS WHICH APPEARED TO BE RUNWAY END MARKINGS. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE PERPENDICULAR TAXIWAY AND NOSED OVER IN THE ROUGH DIRT AREA BETWEEN THE RUNWAY AND THE PARALLEL TAXIWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76546](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76546), registered now, S/N 10982, built 1946 (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: 10982
- Airframe hours: 5278
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Phillip F. Stotts
- Registered owner: Stotts, Phillip F
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 5, 1986, 93 hours before
- Departed: MCE, MERCED, CA
- Destination: Q60, FRESNO, CA
- Airport: Q60, Sierra Sky Park, runway 30, 2,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 860 total, 860 in this make and model, 820 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAT, 10 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 19870606081939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870606081939A), Jun 6, 1987: Cessna 120, Fresno, CA, Substantial damage. Landed off side of runway in rough ground and nosed over. Airport had only reflector type runway lights.

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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