# NTSB LAX88LA285: Cessna 172N, N4788F, Lake Arrowhead, CA, August 14, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1988, 19:00 local (Aug 14, 1988, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Arrowhead, CA
- Coordinates: 34.269878, -117.189765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2699&lon=-117.1898&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26079
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA285
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26079/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA285

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A LOCAL PARACHUTE JUMP FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENOUGH ALTITUDE TO CLEAR RISING TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A TREE AND EVENTUALLY THE TERRAIN. THERE WERE NO REPORTED MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS. THE ACFT HANDBOOK LISTS 2307 LBS AS MAX GTO WT. THE ACC ACFT WEIGHED 2280 LBS. THE CG WAS IN THE REAR THIRD OF THE ENVELOPE AT APRX 103.35. THE DA WAS APRX 6200 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4788F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4788F-1989-08-07), registration cancelled 1989-08-07, S/N 17273080 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273080
- Airframe hours: 3696
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Instrument Training Center
- Registered owner: Konrad Schneidau
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 11, 1988, 42 hours before
- Airport: Private, runway 9, 3,200 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 567 total, 107 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 84 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19880813032569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880813032569A), Aug 13, 1988: Cessna 172N, Lake Arrowhead, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to sustain flight after takeoff settle into trees. Near gross weight and high density altitude are factors.

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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