# NTSB LAX88FA161: Cessna 172G, N4493L, Los Banos, CA, April 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 15, 1988, 20:52 local (Apr 16, 1988, 03:52 UTC)
- Place: Los Banos, CA
- Location: 37.0634° N, 120.8384° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Los Banos, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0634&lon=-120.8384&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 1, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25825
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25825/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA161

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF HIS AIRCRAFT TO AVERT A COLLISION WITH THE GROUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate recurrent training, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4493L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4493L-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 17254588 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172G
- Registry model: [Cessna 172G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172g) (registry code 2072420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17254588
- Airframe hours: 3574
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Satern, Don
- Registered owner: Sateren, Don
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 26, 1987, 35 hours before
- Departed: 3O8, COALINGA, CA
- Destination: O14, TURLOCK, CA
- Airport: LSN, Los Banos Municipal, runway 32, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 950 total, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## Other investigations on N4493L (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK69D0048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69D0048), Jul 13, 1968: Cessna 172 (N4493L), Reno, NV, substantial damage

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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