# NTSB LAX88FA001: Cessna 172RG, N5234U, Calistoga, CA, October 4, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 4, 1987, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Calistoga, CA
- Coordinates: 38.619113, -122.610252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6191&lon=-122.6103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25779
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA001
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25779/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA001

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, landing - aborted
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - residential area

## Analysis

UPON ARRIVING OVER THE DESTINATION ARPT THE PLT USED AN INCORRECT CTAF FREQUENCY TO CONTACT THE ARPT AND HE USED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN APPROACHING THE 2600 FOOT-LONG RWY. BECAUSE A RESIDENTIAL AREA LAY WEST OF THE ARPT & OPEN FIELDS LAY TO THE EAST, ALL LANDINGS ARE TO BE PERFORMED FROM OVER THE FIELDS--EVEN WHEN TAILWINDS ARE PRESENT. ON THIS OCCASION A 5 TO 15 KT TAILWIND EXISTED. THE PLT TOUCHED DOWN LONG & DELAYED IN GOING AROUND. THE PLT REMOVED FLAPS BEFORE ADDING ENGINE PWR & THE ACFT BARELY BECAME AIRBORNE BY THE END OF THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH NOSE PITCH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT TRAVELLED FOR 1350 FT, STALLED, ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND CRASHED INTO THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5234U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5234U-1990-08-16), registration cancelled 1990-08-16, S/N 172RG0292 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0292
- Airframe hours: 1611
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Cal Aggie Flying Farmers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1987, 78 hours before
- Departed: 0O5, DAVIS, CA
- Airport: 058, Calistoga Airpark, runway 28L, 2,600 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; military, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,514 total, 1 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 15 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19871004058429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871004058429A), Oct 4, 1987: Cessna 172RG, Calistoga, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Landed downwind unable to stop on runway rotated near end. Climbed out nose high. Stalled in a turn and crashed.

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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