# NTSB LAX96LA134: Cessna 172L, N7668G, Napa, CA, March 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 14, 1996, 13:28 local (21:28 UTC) - Place: Napa, CA - Coordinates: 38.550029, -122.150497 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5500&lon=-122.1505&mi=10 - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 23, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29388 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29388/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA134 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) the failure of both pilots to see and avoid the other aircraft, and the failure of the pilot of the Cessna 172L, N7668G, to follow VFR procedures by not yielding the right of way to the Cessna 172M, N20858, which was already established in the traffic pattern. ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the Cessna 172L, N7668G, was cleared to enter right traffic. He had been instructed to report entering downwind and to watch for other aircraft in the pattern. When he did not report entering downwind as requested, the tower operator saw the collision course and told him to turn downwind, advising him of the traffic. At the same time he was preparing to turn downwind he saw another aircraft already in the pattern. He immediately initiated a turn to avoid a collision; however, a few seconds later he felt a bang on the tail of the aircraft. The pilot of the Cessna 172M, N20858, had been on downwind when he saw the other aircraft approaching from his left. He turned and dove his aircraft to avoid a collision, but within a few seconds felt a bump. After the collision both aircraft landed without incident. Neither pilot reported seeing the other until they were within a few hundred feet of each other. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On March 14, 1996, at 1328 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172L, N7668G, collided in flight with a Cessna 172M, N20858, while entering the traffic pattern at the Napa County airport, Napa, California. After colliding, each aircraft continued on its approach and landed without further incident. Each aircraft sustained substantial damage; however, neither pilot was injured. Each aircraft was being operated as a personnel flight, N7668G, by the pilot/owner, and N20858, by Vintage Flyers, Inc. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed for N7668G; however, a VFR flight plan was filed for N20858. The flight of N7668G originated from Petaluma, California, earlier that day, while the flight of N20858 originated from Napa about 1321. According to the pilot of N7668G, he reported over Schelleville and was cleared to enter right traffic for runway 18R. He was told to report entering downwind for runway 18R and to watch for other aircraft in the pattern. He was on a 45-degree entry preparing to turn downwind when he saw another aircraft 200 to 300 feet to his right. He turned left and asked the tower ". . .how this airplane got there. . . ." The tower operator directed him to turn left. He replied that he ". . .already had. . ." and was continuing to do so when a few seconds later he felt a bang on the tail of his aircraft. He notified the tower of the collision and was asked to confirm the accident in reply. He replied "Affirmative, I got hit." The pilot was able to maintain control of the aircraft after the collision and was cleared to land without further incident. The pilot of N20858 stated that he was established in the pattern, turning downwind for runway 18R, when he saw the other aircraft about 100 feet away approaching directly from his left. He made a hard right turn and dove the aircraft attempting to avoid a collision, but felt a bump a few seconds later. After the collision the pilot called the tower operator and reported the accident. The pilot was asked to verify that there had been a collision and was then cleared to land without further incident. A transcript of the air-to-ground communications tapes at the Napa air traffic control tower (ATCT) was reviewed. The tower operator cleared N7668G for right traffic on runway 18R and to report entering downwind. He advised the pilot that there were two Cessnas in the pattern, which the pilot acknowledged. The aircraft did not report entering downwind as requested. Just before the collision occurred the local controller instructed the pilot of N7668G to "turn downwind now." He also advised him that his traffic was a Cessna to his right. The pilot's reply was ". . .right next to me. . . ." The tower operator called to verify that the pilot had been involved in a collision and then cleared him to land without further incident. (A transcript from the Napa ATCT tape is appended to this report.) A postaccident inspection of the aircraft revealed damage to the leading and lower side of the left wing tip of N20858. There was also damage to the outboard trailing edge portion of the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer of N7668G. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N7668G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7668G-2008-05-16), registration cancelled 2008-05-16, S/N 17259368, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172L - Registry model: [Cessna 172L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172l) (registry code 2072432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17259368 - Airframe hours: 1914 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mostafa J. Tabatabai - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1995, 8 hours before - Departed: O69, PETALUMA, CA - Destination: APC - Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 18R, 5,931 × 150 ft, concrete ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N20858](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N20858), registered now, S/N 17263857, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17263857 - Airframe hours: 4658 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Silverado Hawks Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 4, 1995, 278 hours before - Departed: APC - Destination: UKI, UKIAH, CA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 18R, 5,931 × 150 ft, concrete ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N7668G; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days - Pilot, aircraft N20858; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 437 total, 162 in this make and model, 437 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 8 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: APC ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960314009082A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960314009082A), Mar 14, 1996: Cessna 172L, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Turning downwind was struck by plane also downwind, both landed safely. Appears tower mishandled traffic situation. - [Accident 19960314046709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960314046709A), Mar 14, 1996: Cessna 172M, CA, Substantial damage. (-16) No narrative attached. ## Other investigations on N7668G (2) 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 LAX05LA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA197), Jun 7, 2005: Cessna 172L (N7668G), Santa Ynez, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during a go-around in gusty wind conditions, which resulted in a stall and collision with terrain. - [NTSB LAX04LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA089), Dec 26, 2003: Cessna 172L (N7668G), Vacaville, CA, no damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: the pilot's inadequate hand prop starting procedure. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.