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NTSB Report
October 4, 1987 · Cessna 172RG · N5234U
Calistoga, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 4, 1987
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Location
Calistoga, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N5234U
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88FA001
UPON ARRIVING OVER THE DESTINATION ARPT THE PLT USED AN INCORRECT CTAF FREQUENCY TO CONTACT THE ARPT AND HE USED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN APPROACHING THE 2600 FOOT-LONG RWY. BECAUSE A RESIDENTIAL AREA LAY WEST OF THE ARPT & OPEN FIELDS LAY TO THE EAST, ALL LANDINGS ARE TO BE PERFORMED FROM OVER THE FIELDS--EVEN WHEN TAILWINDS ARE PRESENT. ON THIS OCCASION A 5 TO 15 KT TAILWIND EXISTED. THE PLT TOUCHED DOWN LONG & DELAYED IN GOING AROUND. THE PLT REMOVED FLAPS BEFORE ADDING ENGINE PWR & THE ACFT BARELY BECAME AIRBORNE BY THE END OF THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH NOSE PITCH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT TRAVELLED FOR 1350 FT, STALLED, ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND CRASHED INTO THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE.
Full Narrative
UPON ARRIVING OVER THE DESTINATION ARPT THE PLT USED AN INCORRECT CTAF FREQUENCY TO CONTACT THE ARPT AND HE USED A RIGHT HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN APPROACHING THE 2600 FOOT-LONG RWY. BECAUSE A RESIDENTIAL AREA LAY WEST OF THE ARPT & OPEN FIELDS LAY TO THE EAST, ALL LANDINGS ARE TO BE PERFORMED FROM OVER THE FIELDS--EVEN WHEN TAILWINDS ARE PRESENT. ON THIS OCCASION A 5 TO 15 KT TAILWIND EXISTED. THE PLT TOUCHED DOWN LONG & DELAYED IN GOING AROUND. THE PLT REMOVED FLAPS BEFORE ADDING ENGINE PWR & THE ACFT BARELY BECAME AIRBORNE BY THE END OF THE RWY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NEAR MAX GROSS WEIGHT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CLIMB WITH AN EXCESSIVELY HIGH NOSE PITCH ATTITUDE. THE ACFT TRAVELLED FOR 1350 FT, STALLED, ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, AND CRASHED INTO THE BACKYARD OF A RESIDENCE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:40 PDT
Nearest AirportCalistoga Airpark (0nm W)
Runway28L
Runway Length2600 ft
Runway Width20 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN5234U
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (1 fatality, 3 serious injuries)
Fatal1
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 15 kt, gusting 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO