# NTSB LAX87LA285: Cessna 172P, N52331, Kernville, CA, July 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1987, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Kernville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.729011, -118.390068 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7290&lon=-118.3901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25653/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA285

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - raising of flaps - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT, THE STUDENT PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A LANDING WITH A 6-10 KNOT CROSSWIND. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH WITH FULL FLAPS AND PWR OFF, THE PLT STATED THAT OVER THE THRESHOLD AT APRX 10 FT AGL IN THE FLARE CONFIGURATION, A GUST OF WIND RAISED THE RIGHT WING AND THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE PLT ADDED FULL PWR AND RETRACTED THE FLAPS TO GO-AROUND, HOWEVER, THE ACFT'S LANDING GEAR CAUGHT ON A BARB WIRE FENCE AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER COLLIDING WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52331](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52331), registered now, S/N 17274494, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274494
- Airframe hours: 2497
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Channel Island Aviation
- Registered owner: Schultz R. E. DBA
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 15, 1987, 109 hours before
- Departed: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA
- Destination: L05, KERNVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: L05, Kernvalley, runway 17, 3,500 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 31 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 35 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 19870728077559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870728077559A), Jul 28, 1987: Cessna 172P, Kernville, CA, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway on the flare due to a crosswind. Added power and dumped flaps to go around. Settled into a fence

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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