# NTSB SEA86FA053: Cessna 172XP, N736HV, Napa, CA, February 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1986, 10:22 local (18:22 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550792, -122.15023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5508&lon=-122.1502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40269
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA053
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40269/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA053

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKING OFF, THE PLT APPEARED TO HAVE DIFFICULTY FOLLOWING TAXI INSTRUCTIONS. HE THEN TOOK OFF WITHOUT CLEARANCE AGAINST CROSSING TRAFFIC. WHEN HE RETURNED TO LAND, HE WAS CLEARED FOR RGT TRAFFIC TO RWY 18. THE ACFT ENTERED A LEFT DOWNWIND FOR RWY 24 INTO OPPOSING TRAFFIC. AFTER THE TOWER ISSUED COLLISION AVOIDANCE ADVICE TO OTHER ACFT, N736HV WAS CLEARED TO LAND ON RWY 24. HOWEVER, THE PLT OVERSHOT THE TURN TO FINAL APCH & MANEUVERED BACK TOWARD THE RWY CENTERLINE.WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A 70 FT TREE ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY APRX 1 MILE FROM THE APCH END OF THE RWY.THE ACFT THEN IMPACTED THE GROUND & SLID INVERTED FOR ABOUT 80 YDS. BOTH OCCUPANTS RECEIVED HEAD INJURIES. THE PASSENGERREMAINED UNCONSCIOUS FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER THE ACDNT. A CHECK OF THE PLT'S BLOOD SHOWED AN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 175 MG% (0.175%).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736HV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736HV-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N R1722548, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172XP
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722548
- Airframe hours: 1386
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lynn T. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 1985, 7 hours before
- Departed: APC
- Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 24, 5,007 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,417 total, 75 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 5 nm away

## 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 19860204002239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860204002239A), Feb 4, 1986: Cessna R172K, Napa, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft struck a tree while maneuvering on final. Pilot had been drinking and showed signs of disorientation.

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.