# NTSB LAX88LA141: Cessna 172RG, N9609B, Malibu, CA, March 27, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1988, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Malibu, CA
- Coordinates: 34.060974, -118.810058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0610&lon=-118.8101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25973
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25973/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA141

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed(vso) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO PHOTOGRAPH SOME YACHTS SAILING OFF THE MALIBU COAST. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE INITIATED A TURN AT 300 FEET AGL AROUND ONE OF THE YACHTS AND THE AIRCRAFT 'SUDDENLY STALLED' AND HE WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE WATER. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE WAS 'STRAINING TO LOOK OUT THE BACK WINDOW TO TRY AND SEE THE BOAT WHEN (HE) HEARD THE STALL HORN.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9609B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9609B-1989-07-19), registration cancelled 1989-07-19, S/N 172RG0917 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0917
- Airframe hours: 1660
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Long Beach Flying Club
- Registered owner: Hunt, Richard & Nancy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 1988, 14 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 356 total, 14 in this make and model, 283 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 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 19880327061299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880327061299A), Mar 27, 1988: Cessna 172RG, Malibu, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed into ocean while circling a yacht race to take pictures at a low altitude.

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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