# NTSB OAK69A0016: Cessna 172B, N7938X, Niles, CA, September 5, 1968

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 5, 1968
- Place: Niles, CA · NILES, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1968
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 108359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK69A0016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK69A0016

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3267   68/9/5    NILES,CALIF         CESSNA 172B         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 37, 380
        TIME - 2045                    N7938X              PX-  3  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 105 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- RECOVERY DATE 9/6/68. STRUCK MTN RIDGE. TOXICOLOGICAL SAMPLE UNSATISFACTORY FOR VALID TEST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7938X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7938X-2018-04-06), registration cancelled 2018-04-06, S/N 17248438, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172B
- Registry model: [Cessna 172B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172b) (registry code 2072406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

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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