# NTSB LAX87LA305: Cessna 172P, N98782, Covelo, CA, August 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 15, 1987, 15:18 local (22:18 UTC)
- Place: Covelo, CA
- Coordinates: 39.820064, -123.159332 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8201&lon=-123.1593&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25665
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA305
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25665/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA305

## 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 - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - porpoise/pilot-induced oscillation - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - control interference - performed, pilot passenger (cause)
  - raising of flaps - performed, pilot passenger (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained
- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHEN SHE WAS LANDING, THE ACFT BALLOONED, ENTERED A PORPOISE & DRIFTED TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY. SHE APPLIED POWER TO 'FLY OUT OF THE SITUATION,' BUT THE ACFT PITCHED UP. THE RIGHT SEAT OCCUPANT (PAX) PULLED THE CONTROL YOKE BACK & SIMULTANEOUSLY RETRACTED THE FLAPS AS THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GO-AROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT STRUCK A METAL POLE & CAME TO REST WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. LATER, THE PLT LEARNED THAT THE ACFT ENCTRD A DUST DEVIL DURING THE LANDING. THE PAX IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT HAD A PVT PLT CERTIFICATE, BUT SAID SHE HAD NOT FLOWN AN ACFT IN 'MANY YEARS.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98782](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98782-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 17276351 (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: 17276351
- Airframe hours: 19
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bridgeford Flying Svc
- Registered owner: R.A. Bridgeford Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1987, 19 hours before
- Departed: 028, WILLITS, CA
- Destination: 009
- Airport: 009, Round Valley, runway 10, 3,670 × 55 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 560 total, 298 in this make and model, 407 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 22 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: 009

## 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 19870815045679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870815045679A), Aug 15, 1987: Cessna 172P, Covelo, CA, Destroyed. Lost directional control on landing in a dust devil and a crosswind. Hit a pole on go around. Passenger on controls

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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