# NTSB LAX88LA281: Cessna 172P, N53571, Imperial, CA, August 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1988, 14:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Imperial, CA
- Coordinates: 32.85987, -115.650001 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8599&lon=-115.6500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26075
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26075/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA281

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - compensation for wind conditions - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLT, WHILE LANDING, A GUST OF WIND RAISED ONE WING, PUTTING WEIGHT ON MAIN WHEEL AND ONE NOSE WHEEL. THE PILOT REGAINED CONTROL; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER IN THE SOFT DIRT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53571](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53571), registered now, S/N 17274781, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274781
- Airframe hours: 1730
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Executive Aviation
- Registered owner: Mackenzie Aviation Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 5, 1988, 3 hours before
- Departed: TRM, THERMAL, CA
- Destination: IPL, IMPERIAL, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: IPL, Imperial, runway 32, 5,304 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 35 total, 14 in this make and model, 8 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 12 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 106 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880806030859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880806030859A), Aug 6, 1988: Cessna 172P, Imperial, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in gusty crosswind on solo crosscountry. Veered off runway and nosed over.

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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