# NTSB LAX87LA324: Cessna 172N, N6122G, Lee Vining, CA, September 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1987, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Lee Vining, CA
- Coordinates: 37.989093, -119.110343 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9891&lon=-119.1103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25681
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25681/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA324

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE FLYING OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY FOLLOWED THE WRONG ROAD & WENT INTO A BOX CANYON AREA. HE STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 5 MILES & HE DID NOT SEE THE UPCOMING RISING ELEVATION. EVENTUALLY, HE GOT INTO A SITUATION WERE THE ACFT COULD NOT OUTCLIMB THE RISING TERRAIN & THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT SPACE TO REVERSE COURSE. SUB- SEQUENTLY, THE ACFT HIT A TREE & CRASHED AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 10,500'. THE PLT INDCD THE ENG WAS RUNNING NORMALLY BEFORE THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6122G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6122G-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 17273568 (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: 73568
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Airways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Charles Coughlin
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: O24, LEE VINING, CA
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 319 total, 229 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19870905050209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870905050209A), Sep 5, 1987: Cessna 172N, Lee Vining, CA, Substantial damage. Struck a tree and ground near top of canyon wall. Entered canyon by mistake. Unable to turn around or climb clear.

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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