# NTSB LAX88LA257: Cessna 172K, N46373, Palmdale, CA, July 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 15, 1988, 14:43 local (21:43 UTC)
- Place: Palmdale, CA
- Coordinates: 34.519058, -118.079933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5191&lon=-118.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26057
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA257
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26057/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA257

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - lubricating system,oil filter/screen - loose (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - fluid,oil - exhaustion (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING AT 9500 FEET, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WAS LOW. SHORTLY AFTER, THE ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT TURNED TOWARD AN AIRPORT, HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN SOFT SAND DURING THE LANDING ROLL. INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF OIL HAD TRAVELED AFT ON THE LOWER ENGINE COWLING, EMANATING FROM THE NOSE GEAR AREA. THE ENGINE HAD UNDERGONE AN ANNUAL INSPECTION ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT AND HAD FLOWN LESS THAN 1 HR. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE OIL HEAT SENSOR PROBE WAS FINGER TIGHT AND THE OIL HAD LEAKED FROM THAT AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46373](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N46373-1991-01-28), registration cancelled 1991-01-28, S/N 17257223 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257223
- Airframe hours: 2978
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Reid, Dick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 15, 1988
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Airport: PMD, Palmdale, runway 22, 12,000 × 15 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 288 total, 288 in this make and model, 214 as pilot in command, 63 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °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 19880715026899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880715026899A), Jul 15, 1988: Cessna 172K, Palmdale, CA, Substantial damage. Low oil pressure. Engine failed. Tried to make airport but landed short. Bottom of cowl oil covered.

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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