# NTSB LAX96LA316: Cessna 172F, N5543R, Ocotillo, CA, August 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 25, 1996, 17:45 local (Aug 26, 1996, 00:45 UTC) - Place: Ocotillo, CA - Coordinates: 32.720912, -115.88005 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7209&lon=-115.8800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29544 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA316 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29544/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA316 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain proper runway alignment. The sun glare and proximity of rocks were related factors. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rock(s)/boulder(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis While landing to the west on dirt runway 27, the airplane drifted off the runway centerline and collided with rocks that marked where runway 9/27 intersected with runway 13/31. The pilot reported that he was blinded by the sun during the landing rollout. According to a computer generated Sun/Moon astrological program, the magnetic bearing to the sun was 255 degrees, and it was about 18 degrees above the horizon. According to the pilot, the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunction or failure. ## Factual narrative On August 25, 1996, at 1745 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 172F, N5543R, collided with a runway rock formation while landing on runway 27 at Ocotillo Wells Airport, Ocotillo, California. The pilot was completing a visual flight rules personal flight. The airplane, registered to the pilot and his passenger, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated private pilot nor his certificated private pilot/passenger were injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Ramona Airport, Ramona, California, about 1700. The pilot stated in a telephone interview conducted on August 28, 1996, at 1110 hours that the landing was normal. During the landing rollout, however, the setting sun partially blinded him and the airplane drifted and collided with a white painted rock formation at the intersection of runway 27 and 13. He also said that the airplane did not experience any preimpact malfunctions or failures. An Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the San Diego, California, Flight Standards District Office reported that the airport is situated on a dry lake bed. He said that the runways are not marked and are dragged annually. The runways are marked with white painted rock formations. According to a computer generated astrological data program, at the time of the accident the sun's elevation was about 18.6 degrees above the horizon. The magnetic bearing toward the sun was 255.4 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5543R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5543R-2014-01-21), registration cancelled 2014-01-21, S/N 17253127, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 172F - Registry model: [Cessna 172F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172f) (registry code 2072414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17253127 - Airframe hours: 4523 - Engines: Continental O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas A. Cooprider Et Al - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1996, 17 hours before - Departed: L39, RAMONA, CA - Destination: L90 - Airport: L90, Ocotillo Wells, runway 27, 2,475 × 150 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,638 total, 992 in this make and model, 1,638 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 20 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °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 19960825044509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960825044509A), Aug 25, 1996: Cessna 172F, Ocotillo Wells, CA, Substantial damage. Blinded by sun ran off runway landing. Struck rocks unmarked runway on dry lake marked only by piles of rocks. 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.