# NTSB LAX88LA310: Cessna 172F, N5149F, Fairfield, CA, September 11, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1988, 11:50 local (18:50 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, CA
- Coordinates: 38.280429, -121.920074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2804&lon=-121.9201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26097
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA310
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26097/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA310

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PERFORMED A SOFT FIELD TAKEOFF ON A GRASS STRIP IN WINDS GUSTING TO 34 KTS. THE AIRPLANE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN GROUND EFFECT, NOR WOULD IT CLIMB. FEELING THAT HE COULD NOT OUT-CLIMB OBJECTS IN HIS PATH, THE PILOT TURNED TO THE RIGHT. AS HE TURNED HE RETRACTED FLAPS. THE AIRCRAFT DECELERATED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5149F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5149F-1997-10-22), registration cancelled 1997-10-22, S/N 17252984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172F
- Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17252984
- Airframe hours: 7769
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: U.S. Air Force, doing business as Travis Aero Club
- Registered owner: U.S. Air Force
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 2, 1988, 17 hours before
- Destination: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 800, Travis Afb, runway 34, 1,800 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,521 total, 147 in this make and model, 10,408 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 25 knots, gusting 34
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TZZ

## 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 19880911038279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880911038279A), Sep 11, 1988: Cessna 172F, Fairfield, CA, Substantial damage. Made soft field takeoff in gusty wind. Turned out of wind at 25 ft AGL,wing hit ground causing loss of control.

## Other investigations on N5149F (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX80FVG27](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVG27), Apr 16, 1980: Cessna 172F (N5149F), Lake Berryessa, CA, substantial damage

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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