# NTSB LAX88LA040: Cessna 172B, N7797X, Jamestown, CA, November 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 12, 1987, 15:21 local (23:21 UTC)
- Place: Jamestown, CA
- Coordinates: 37.850486, -120.490699 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8505&lon=-120.4907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25903
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25903/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA040

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT OVER A LAKE, THE PLT REPORTED AFTER CIRCLING FOR SOME TIME AT A LOW ALTITUDE, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON THE LAKE WHERE THE ACFT SANK. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE ACFT WAS RETRIEVED AND THE ENGINE AND AIRFRAME WERE DISASSEMBLED. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7797X (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17248297
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Albert J. Segalla
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1987, 2 hours before
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,300 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19871112081289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871112081289A), Nov 12, 1987: Cessna 172B, Jamestown, CA, Substantial damage. Loss of engine power while circling low over tullock lake. Ditched and the aircraft sank. Found no malfunctions.

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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