# NTSB LAX88LA320: Cessna 172N, N6406D, Truckee, CA, September 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 17, 1988, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Truckee, CA
- Location: 39.3280° N, 120.1833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Truckee, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3280&lon=-120.1833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA320
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA320

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuel system,cap - open (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - lowering of flaps - premature, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF ROLL THE PILOT HEARD A BANGING NOISE ON THE LEFT WING. THE PILOT CONTINUED THE TAKEOFF. AT 100 FT A.G.L. HE EXECUTED A 180 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT TO RETURN TO LAND. THE PILOT ADDED 30 DEGREES OF FLAPS TO THE 10 THAT HAD BEEN SET FOR TAKEOFF. THE ACFT BEGAN TO DESCEND AND THE PILOT COULD NOT STOP THE DESCENT. HE LANDED THE ACFT IN AN OPEN FIELD. DURING THE LANDING THE NOSE WHEEL COLLIDED WITH A ROCK, BROKE OFF AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED THAT THE LEFT FUEL CAP WAS NOT IN PLACE AND WAS HANGING FROM THE WING BY ITS CONNECTION CHAIN. DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS ABOUT 7500 FEET.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6406D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6406D-1989-11-18), registration cancelled 1989-11-18, S/N 17272789 (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: 17272789
- Airframe hours: 3796
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lompoc Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1988, 35 hours before
- Destination: PVF, PLACERVILLE, CA
- Airport: TRK, Truckee-Tahoe, runway 28, 6,401 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,164 total, 255 in this make and model, 965 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRK

## 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 19880917051069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880917051069A), Sep 17, 1988: Cessna 172N, Truckee, CA, Substantial damage. Noise on takeoff. Unable to return after using full flaps. Hit a rock landing. Nosed over. Gas cap was not secured.

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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