# NTSB LAX88LA056: Cessna 172N, N75825, Sacramento, CA, November 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1987, 13:03 local (21:03 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.510238, -121.489334 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5102&lon=-121.4893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 172N VEERED OFF RUNWAY 30. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE LEFT WING RESULTING IN THE RIGHT WING SCRAPING THE RUNWAY SURFACE. THE AIRPLANE SUBSEQUENTLY GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. THE WINDS WERE REPORTED TO BE FROM 350 DEGREES AT 22 KNOTS GUSTING TO 27 KNOTS DURING THE SCHEDULED RECORD OBSERVATION AT 1248 HOURS PST, APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE SAC AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER HAD ISSUED A LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR ADVISORY TO THE PILOT WHEN THEY CLEARED HIM TO LAND. AT 1337 HOURS PST A SPECIAL OBSERVATION AS A RESULT OF THE AIRPLANE ACCIDENT RECORDED THE WINDS FROM 330 DEGREES AT 24 KNOTS GUSTING TO 31 KNOTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75825](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75825), registered now, S/N 17267982, 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: 67982
- Airframe hours: 1199
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James A. Reed
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 18 hours before
- Airport: SAC, Sacramento Executive, runway 30, 3,836 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,037 total, 1,962 in this make and model, 1,966 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 22 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC

## 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 19871125081989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871125081989A), Nov 25, 1987: Cessna 172N, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty winds. Aircraft ground looped off runway.

## Other investigations on N75825 (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 ERA21LA090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA090), Dec 26, 2020: Cessna 172 (N75825), Locust Grove, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper recovery from a bounced landing, which resulted in a loss of directional control and subsequent runway excursion.

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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