# NTSB LAX87LA258: Cessna 172, N1466U, Hawthorne, CA, July 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1987, 19:00 local (Jul 8, 1987, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Hawthorne, CA
- Coordinates: 33.909755, -118.340538 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9098&lon=-118.3405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25630
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA258
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25630/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA258

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DRG AN APCH TO RWY 25, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE OMNI DIRECTIONAL APCH LIGHTING SYSTEM (ODALS). THE PLT INDCD THAT SHE ENCTRD A DOWNDRAFT ON SHORT FINAL & APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE ACFT CONTD TO DSCND & STRUCK ONE OF THE ODALS LIGHT COVER LENSES WITH A WING STRUT. AFTER HITTING THE ODALS, THE ACFT CONTD TO FLY & WAS LANDED ON RWY 25. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WERE RPRTD. TOWER PERSONNEL RPRTD THE WIND WAS FROM 280 AT 9 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1466U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1466U), registered now, S/N 17267133 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267133
- Airframe hours: 35349
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Karl V. Weichinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1987, 42 hours before
- Departed: HRR
- Airport: HHR, Hawthorne, runway 25, 4,956 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 91 total, 87 in this make and model, 52 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HRR

## Other investigations on N1466U (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 LAX79FUQ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX79FUQ23), Mar 31, 1979: Cessna 172 (N1466U), Lompoc, CA, 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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