# NTSB LAX88FA146: Cessna 172N, N733KS, Saticoy, CA, April 1, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1988, 10:22 local (18:22 UTC)
- Place: Saticoy, CA
- Coordinates: 34.270126, -119.160926 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2701&lon=-119.1609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious, 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 16, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA146

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, climb - to cruise
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Midair collision, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS INSTRUCTOR, CONDUCTING TRAINING IN A 172P, WERE TURNING LEFT TO A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING AT 3,400 FEET MSL, NEAR AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. A CESSNA 172N ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT IN THE VICINITY WAS CLIMBING ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING TO A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 4,500 FEET MSL. A THIRD 172 WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 3,400 FEET MSL TO A 7,500 FEET MSL ALTITUDE ON A NORTHWEST HEADING. AS THE THREE AIRCRAFT MERGED AT 3,400 FEET MSL THE INSTRUMENT TRAINING CESSNA 172P AND THE PLEASURE FLIGHT CESSNA 172N COLLIDED. THE CESSNA 172P'S EMPENNAGE WAS SEVERED AND THE AIRCRAFT PLUMMETED TO THE GROUND. THE IMPACT FATALLY INJURED THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND SERIOUSLY INJURED THE PRIVATE PILOT. THE CESSNA 172N WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BUT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE THIRD AIRCRAFT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION AND ITS PILOT DID NOT OBSERVE THE OTHER AIRCRAFT.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

A CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND HIS INSTRUCTOR, CONDUCTING TRAINING IN A 172P, WERE TURNING LEFT TO A SOUTHEASTERLY HEADING AT 3,400 FEET MSL, NEAR AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT. A CESSNA 172N ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT IN THE VICINITY WAS CLIMBING ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING TO A CRUISE ALTITUDE OF 4,500 FEET MSL. A THIRD 172 WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 3,400 FEET MSL TO A 7,500 FEET MSL ALTITUDE ON A NORTHWEST HEADING. AS THE THREE AIRCRAFT MERGED AT 3,400 FEET MSL THE INSTRUMENT TRAINING CESSNA 172P AND THE PLEASURE FLIGHT 172N COLLIDED. THE CESSNA 172P'S EMPENNAGE WAS SEVERED AND THE AIRCRAFT PLUMMETED TO THE GROUND. THE IMPACT FATALLY INJURED THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT AND SERIOUSLY INJURED THE PRIVATE PILOT. THE CESSNA 172N WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED BUT LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE THIRD AIRCRAFT WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE COLLISION AND ITS PILOT DID NOT OBSERVE THE OTHER AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N733KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N733KS), registered now, S/N 17268357, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268357
- Airframe hours: 5530
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cp Aviation
- Registered owner: C William E Commings
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 2, 1988, 69 hours before
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N98955](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98955-1989-06-26), registration cancelled 1989-06-26, S/N 17276385 (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: 17276385
- Airframe hours: 1228
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 17, 1988, 36 hours before
- Departed: CMA, CAMARILLO, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N733KS; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 343 total, 31 in this make and model, 305 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days
- Pilot, aircraft N98955; age 35; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 567 total, 248 in this make and model, 501 as pilot in command, 106 in the last 90 days, 27 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 6 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880401007401A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007401A), Apr 1, 1988: Cessna 172N, Saticoy, CA, Substantial damage. Climbed into path of N98955 and collided. 98955 had student under a hood. The aircraft fell to ground minus tail.
- [Accident 19880401007402A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880401007402A), Apr 1, 1988: Cessna 172P, Saticoy, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Was struck by a climbing sightseeing plane N733KS and fell to ground minus tail. Was on hooded dual IFR practice.

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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