# NTSB LAX88LA069: Cessna 172N, N734YZ, Tracy, CA, December 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1987, 14:02 local (22:02 UTC)
- Place: Tracy, CA
- Coordinates: 37.729953, -121.420425 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7300&lon=-121.4204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25920
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25920/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA069

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, taxi - to takeoff
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command
- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Roll over, taxi - to takeoff

## Analysis

THE SURFACE WIND WAS STRONG WHEN THE PILOT BEGAN TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE FLIGHT. AS THE AIRCRAFT TAXIED FROM BEHIND A HANGAR THE STRONG WIND LIFTED ONE OF THE WINGS AND THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED OVER ON ITS BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N734YZ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269233
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Central Valley Aviation
- Registered owner: Jericon Industries
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 16, 1987, 73 hours before
- Destination: SCK, STOCKTON, CA
- Airport: 036, Tracy Muni.

## 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; flight hours: 300 total, 70 in this make and model, 230 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LVK, 17 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 19871212074839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871212074839A), Dec 12, 1987: Cessna 172N, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Blown over as aircraft was taxiing for takeoff in severe gusty wind. Winds of 40 mph too strong to control a 172.

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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