# NTSB LAX88LA038: Cessna 172E, N5577T, Placerville, CA, November 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1987, 16:35 local (Nov 11, 1987, 00:35 UTC)
- Place: Placerville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.730072, -120.800308 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7301&lon=-120.8003&mi=10
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 6, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA038

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THE STUDENT PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS. ON THE LANDING PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED AND THE STUDENT PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND. DURING THE GO AROUND ATTEMPT THE AIRCRAFT DRIFTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A POLE. THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL PROBLEMS REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 320 DEGREES AT 3 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5577T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5577T-1991-02-12), registration cancelled 1991-02-12, S/N 17251477 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251477
- Airframe hours: 5125
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Underwood, James M.
- Registered owner: Underwood, James
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 26, 1987, 54 hours before
- Departed: PVF
- Airport: PVF, Placerville, runway 23, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MHR, 28 nm away

## 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 19871110063469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871110063469A), Nov 10, 1987: Cessna 172E, Placerville, CA, Substantial damage. Made a hard landing. Bounced. Attempted a go around. Turned to side of runway and collided with a pole.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.
