# NTSB LAX89LA158: Cessna 172N, N6253D, Eureka, CA, April 12, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1989, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, CA
- Coordinates: 40.799327, -124.149353 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7993&lon=-124.1494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26378
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26378/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA158

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING BY THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT WHEN HE ALLOWED THE PRIVATE PILOT STUDENT TO LAND LONG. ADDITIONALLY, THE INSTRUCTOR DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION UNTIL THE RUNWAY OVERRUN WAS INEVITABLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - all available runway - not used, dual student (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE STUDENT WAS PERFORMING A SHORT FIELD APCH DURING THE DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT AND THE ACFT WAS HIGH ON FINAL APCH. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE BELIEVED THE LANDING COULD STILL BE COMPLETED. THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN AT THE RWY MIDPOINT, RAN OFF THE END OF THE RWY AND NOSED OVER. THE INSTRUCTOR ALSO SAID HE REALIZED ADDITIONAL BRAKING WAS NEEDED DURING THE LANDING ROLL. A GO-AROUND WAS NOT ATTEMPTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6253D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6253D-1991-04-08), registration cancelled 1991-04-08, S/N 17272668 (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: 72668
- Airframe hours: 2425
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Air
- Registered owner: Northern Air
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 1989, 59 hours before
- Departed: EKA
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: 019, Kneeland, runway 15, 2,210 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 3,199 total, 488 in this make and model, 2,910 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 54 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °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 19890412011159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890412011159A), Apr 12, 1989: Cessna 172N, Eureka, CA, Substantial damage. Allowed student to land halfway down runway. Unable to stop, ran off end over an embankment and overturned.

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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