# NTSB LAX92LA407: Cessna 172, N4187F, Inyokern, CA, September 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1992, 13:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.54084, -118.910285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.5408&lon=-118.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA407
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA407

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE STUDENT'S PILOT TOTAL LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL PRACTICE FLIGHT, THE SOLO STUDENT PILOT ENCOUNTERED SOME TURBULENCE AND ELECTED TO LAND AT A NEARBY AIRPORT.  THE STUDENT PILOT OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT AND DECIDED THAT THE SURFACE WINDS FAVORED RUNWAY 20. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE STUDENT PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, EXITED THE RUNWAY, AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.  A RIGHT QUARTERING HEADWIND BETWEEN TWENTY-FIVE AND THIRTY KNOTS EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4187F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4187F-2012-11-07), registration cancelled 2012-11-07, S/N 46087, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46087
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Marvin Holdridge & P. Lodas
- Registered owner: Marvin Holdridge & P. Lodas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 2O7, INDEPENDENCE, CA
- Airport: IYK, Inyokern, runway 2, 6,275 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 41 total, 41 in this make and model, 15 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 25 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 75 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 19920903039259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920903039259A), Sep 3, 1992: Cessna 172, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. Student pilot lost control landing in severe gusty crosswind. Too much wind for experience and aircraft type.

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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