# NTSB LAX90LA236: Cessna 172RG, N5388R, Concord, CA, July 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 5, 1990, 23:20 local (Jul 6, 1990, 06:20 UTC)
- Place: Concord, CA
- Coordinates: 38.000072, -122.03041 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0001&lon=-122.0304&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26852
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26852/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA236

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S INITIATING AN EXCESSIVE DESCENT AND THE CFI'S INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - descent - excessive, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - object - wire,transmission

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR STATED THAT THE STUDENT DRIFTED ABOUT 10 DEGREES LEFT OF COURSE NEAR THE OUTER MARKER. THE INSTRUCTOR SAID THE STUDENT A 'VERY HIGH RATE OF DESCENT' WHEN THE AIRCRAFT PASSED THE OUTER MARKER. BEFORE SHE COULD GET HIM TO STOP THE DESCENT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A HIGH TENSION POWER LINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5388R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5388R-2002-10-30), registration cancelled 2002-10-30, S/N 172RG0059, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0059
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Buchanan Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: CCR
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: CCR, Buchanan, runway 19, 4,400 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,428 total, 75 in this make and model, 3,269 as pilot in command, 186 in the last 90 days, 58 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900705038129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900705038129A), Jul 5, 1990: Cessna 172RG, Concord, CA, Substantial damage. Student developed high sink rate after outer marker. CFI failed to check rate. Tail hit wires. Landed on runway.

## Other investigations on N5388R (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 CHI02FA113](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI02FA113), Apr 23, 2002: Cessna 172RG (N5388R), Marthasville, MO, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The inadequate supervision and the stall encountered by the certified flight instructor.

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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