# NTSB LAX90LA289: Cessna 172M, N80981, Goleta, CA, August 16, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1990, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.499904, -120.120803 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4999&lon=-120.1208&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26895
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA289
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26895/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA289

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - fluid,oil - loss,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO ALLOW THE PASSENGERS TO LOOK OVER SOME SAILING ROUTES AND ANCHORAGES AT THE SANTA CRUZ ISLAND. THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING OVER THE ISLAND HE NOTED THE OIL PRESSURE WAS SLOWLY DECREASING AND HE DECIDED TO RETURN TO THE MAINLAND. THE OIL PRESSURE CONTINUED TO DECREASE AND FINALLY REACHED ZERO. THE PILOT SAID THE ENGINE SEIZED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND HE DITCHED THE AIRCRAFT IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO AN OFF SHORE OIL DRILLING PLATFORM. A BOAT FROM THE PLATFORM RESCUED THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80981](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80981-1999-05-05), registration cancelled 1999-05-05, S/N 17266824 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17266824
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aaa Flying Club, Inc., doing business as Above All Aviation
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 264 total, 18 in this make and model, 216 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19900816033199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900816033199A), Aug 16, 1990: Cessna 172M, Goleta, CA, Destroyed. Engine lost oil pressure and seized. Ditched in ocean. Not recovered.

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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