# NTSB LAX89LA221: Cessna 172E, N3618S, Grass Valley, CA, June 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1989, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: Grass Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 39.179378, -120.979202 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1794&lon=-120.9792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA221

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE INSPECTIONS PRESCRIBED BY THE MAGNETO, ENGINE AND AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - ignition system,ignition coil - arcing (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - bridge/overpass (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED 50 TO 150 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND LOOSING POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND ELECTED TO LAND ON A ROAD. THE AIRCRAFT'S WING STRUCK A BRIDGE DURING THE LANDING ROLL AND THE AIRCRAFT OVERTURNED. THE ENGINE LOG REFLECTED THAT THE RIGHT MAGNETO POINTS AND DISTRIBUTOR BLOCK WERE REPLACED AND BOTH MAGNETOS WERE RETIMED ON JULY 14, 1981 AT 4329 TOTAL AIRFRAME HOURS. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT INSPECTIONS WERE PERFORMED DURING THE EIGHT YEARS AND 1,233 OPERATIONAL HOURS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. DURING THE POST ACCIDENT ENGINE TEST THE RIGHT MAGNETO FAILED AFTER OPERATING FOR 10 MINUTES. AN EXAMINATION OF THE RIGHT MAGNETO COIL DISCLOSED EVIDENCE OF ARCING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3618S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3618S-1991-08-16), registration cancelled 1991-08-16, S/N 17250818 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250818
- Airframe hours: 5562
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Radio Systems Technology, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 13, 1988, 53 hours before
- Airport: 017, Nevada Co. Airpark, runway 25, 3,920 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,795 total, 1,740 in this make and model, 2,685 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MYV, 25 nm away

## 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 19890618015989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890618015989A), Jun 18, 1989: Cessna 172E, Grass Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Engine stopped on initial climbout. Struck bridge abutment upon landing magnetos arcing.

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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