# NTSB LAX87LA315: Cessna 172D, N246WB, Fortuna, CA, August 31, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1987, 21:30 local (Aug 31, 1987, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Fortuna, CA
- Coordinates: 40.570011, -124.150207 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5700&lon=-124.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25673
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25673/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA315

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING BECAUSE OF DETERIORATING WEATHER DUE TO FOG. HE UNDERSHOT THE RUNWAY ON HIS LANDING TOUCHDOWN. HE SAID HE WAS BLINDED BY THE APPROACH LIGHTS BUT ELECTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE LANDING RATHER THAN ATTEMPTING A GO-AROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N246WB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17249804
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weldon K Bullock
- Registered owner: Alec Duperroir
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 18, 1986
- Departed: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Destination: ACV, ARCAT, CA
- Airport: FOT, Rohnerville, runway 29, 4,025 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 350 in this make and model, 26 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 210° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 25 nm away

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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