# NTSB OAK72AP040: Cessna 172E, N3862S, Modesto, CA, May 10, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 10, 1972
- Place: Modesto, CA · MODESTO, CA
- Location: 37.6391° N, 120.9969° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Modesto, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6391&lon=-120.9969&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1973
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 166828
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK72AP040
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72AP040

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3691  72/5/10  NR.MODESTO,CALIF      CESSNA 172E         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 56, 505
        TIME - 2130                    N3862S              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          STOCKTON,CALIF             MODESTO,CALIF
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INCAPACITATION
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - PILOT SUFFERED HEART ATTACK
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- RECOVERED IN ORCHARD 5/11/72. SEVERE ARTERIOSCLEROSIS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3862S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3862S-1972-08-14), registration cancelled 1972-08-14, S/N 17251062 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Registry model: [Cessna 172E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172e) (registry code 2072412) (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.

---
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.
