# NTSB LAX88LA201: Cessna 172N, N5083D, Big Bear City, CA, May 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1988, 18:45 local (May 24, 1988, 01:45 UTC)
- Place: Big Bear City, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259338, -116.839248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2593&lon=-116.8392&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA201

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE OFF THE AIRPORT IN A LAKE. . THE AIRPLANE PARTIALLY SANK.  THE ENGINE WAS REMOVED TO A MAINTENANCE FACILITY FOR EXAMINATION. NO PREEXISTING MALFUNCTIONS OR MECHANICAL FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RUN DUE TO EXTENSIVE IMPACT DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5083D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5083D-2013-09-16), registration cancelled 2013-09-16, S/N 17272417, built 1979 (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: 17272417
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David A. Bush
- Registered owner: Sunbirds Flying Club
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L35, BIG BEAR, CA
- Destination: L66, CORONA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 21; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 150 total, 30 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Observed at: SBD

## 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 19880523016519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880523016519A), May 23, 1988: Cessna 172N, Big Bear City, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Turned back but forced to ditch in big Bear lake. Cause of power loss undetermined.

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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