# NTSB LAX89LA109: Cessna 172M, N73309, Sacramento, CA, February 13, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 12, 1989, 18:10 local (Feb 13, 1989, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.610176, -121.489341 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6102&lon=-121.4893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 24, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF THE WRONG RUNWAY FOR LANDING AND HIS DELAY IN INITIATING A GO-AROUND AFTER LANDING LONG. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: LIGHT CONDITIONS AS DUSK AND A TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - utility pole
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - raising of flaps - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - soft
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE LANDING ON RWY 34 AT DUSK, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE LAST 1/3 OF THE RWY. THE PLT APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP, THEN DECIDED TO GO AROUND. DRG CLIMB-OUT, THE LANDING GEAR HIT A LIGHT POLE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CONTACTED WET/MUDDY TERRAIN ABOUT 1/4 MI FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY & WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON THE RWY & WAS ON HIS 3RD GO-AROUND. THE ACFT WAS IN A FULL FLAP CONFIGURATION WHEN THE ACDNT OCCURRED. THE WIND WAS RPRTD TO BE FROM 180 DEG AT 6 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N73309](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N73309-2013-07-08), registration cancelled 2013-07-08, S/N 17267363, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17267363
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Sacramento Aero Service Inc.
- Registered owner: Sacramento Aero Service Inc
- Departed: O08, COLUSA, CA
- Destination: Q96
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Natomas Field, runway 34, 2,700 × 30 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--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 59 total, 8 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 180° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890212003779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890212003779A), Feb 12, 1989: Cessna 172M, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. On third landing attempt tried to go around with full flaps. Hit light pole and crashed.

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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