# NTSB LAX87LA238: Cessna 172N, N738JV, Malibu, CA, June 18, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1987, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Malibu, CA
- Coordinates: 34.060104, -118.809036 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0601&lon=-118.8090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25613
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25613/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA238

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - disregarded, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition - not corrected, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT STATED THAT THEY WERE FLYING ALONG THE COAST APRX 1 MILE OFFSHORE AND 500 FT AGL. THE STUDENT STARTED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN TOWARDS LAND. THE STUDENT CONTINUED TO APPLY BACK PRESSURE TO THE POINT THAT THE ACFT STALLED. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK OVER AND RECOVERED FROM THE STALL WITH RISING TERRAIN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE ACFT. THE PLT FELT THAT THE ACFT WAS CAUGHT IN A DOWNDRAFT THAT THE WERE UNABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF BEFORE COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THEY HAD OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING ERRATICALLY ALONG AND OVER THE POPULATED BEACH AREA AT ALTITUDES VARYING FROM 10 TO 50 FT AGL. WHEN THE ACFT TURNED RIGHT TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINS THE ACFT CLEARED AN APARTMENT COMPLEX BY 10 FT AND EVENTUALLY COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS REPORTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738JV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738JV-1989-03-15), registration cancelled 1989-03-15, S/N 17270022 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270022
- Airframe hours: 3726
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: American Flyers
- Registered owner: Baker, Bradley O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 25, 1987
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 618 total, 225 in this make and model, 523 as pilot in command, 267 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMO, 13 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 19870618021049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870618021049A), Jun 18, 1987: Cessna 172N, Malibu, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft impacted rising terrain. The aircraft was see maneuvering at a low altitude near a populated area.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.