# NTSB LAX93FA160: Cessna 172P, N97462, Livermore, CA, April 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 31, 1993, 20:23 local (Apr 1, 1993, 04:23 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.68008, -121.750335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6801&lon=-121.7503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27828/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ATTEMPT VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S LACK OF RECENT INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, THE RAIN AND HIGH WIND CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - light condition - dark night
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH HILLY TERRAIN IN A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE.  WEATHER IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.  THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS FOUND DURING THE ENGINE INSPECTION ON SITE.  THE PILOT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED, BUT A REVIEW OF LOGBOOK ENTRIES REVEALED THAT HE WAS NOT INSTRUMENT CURRENT.  THE PILOT HAD CONTACTED THE CONTROL TOWER AND REQUESTED A TRANSITION THROUGH THEIR AREA, AND THEN ADVISED THE TOWER HE WAS GOING TO PERFORM A 180 DEGREE TURN.  NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED BY THE TOWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97462](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97462-2013-06-05), registration cancelled 2013-06-05, S/N 17276192, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276192
- Airframe hours: 5806
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Business Aircraft Center, Inc
- Registered owner: Business Aircraft Center, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 26, 1993, 53 hours before
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Destination: HWD, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 760 total, 300 in this make and model, 680 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 229° at 18 knots, gusting 45

## 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 19930331007529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930331007529A), Mar 31, 1993: Cessna 172P, Livermore, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Night trip in IMC and heavy turbulence. Lost control. Not current IFR. Had asked clearance thru lvk traffic area.

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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