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NTSB Report
December 20, 1987 · Cessna 172 · N7970B
Fallbrook, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 20, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Fallbrook, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N7970B
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX88LA072
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL TO RWY 36, APPROX 5 TO 6 FT AGL OVR THE RWY, HE NOTICED ANOTHER ACFT APPROACHING FM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HE INITIATED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE LOCATED ABT 150 FT TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE WIND FAVORED RWY 18 AND THAT THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO ACFT WAS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCD. THE PLT OF THE OTHER ACFT STATED THAT THE UNICOM OPERATOR ADVISED HIM THAT THE WIND FAVORED THE USE OF RWY 18 AND THAT HE TRANSMITTED HIS POSITION ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY ON BOTH BASE AND FINAL FOR RWY 18. HE ALSO ADDED THAT HE OBSERVED N7970B SHORTLY AFTER IT HAD LIFTED OFF OF RWY 36 AND THAT IT 'APPEARED TO HAVE AN UNUSUALLY HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK, WENT INTO A RIGHT BANK, AND THEN APPEARED TO STALL...'
Full Narrative
THE PLT STATED THAT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL TO RWY 36, APPROX 5 TO 6 FT AGL OVR THE RWY, HE NOTICED ANOTHER ACFT APPROACHING FM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. HE INITIATED A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN AND COLLIDED WITH A TREE LOCATED ABT 150 FT TO THE RIGHT OF THE RWY CENTERLINE. WITNESSES INDICATED THAT THE WIND FAVORED RWY 18 AND THAT THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO ACFT WAS NOT A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE ACCD. THE PLT OF THE OTHER ACFT STATED THAT THE UNICOM OPERATOR ADVISED HIM THAT THE WIND FAVORED THE USE OF RWY 18 AND THAT HE TRANSMITTED HIS POSITION ON THE UNICOM FREQUENCY ON BOTH BASE AND FINAL FOR RWY 18. HE ALSO ADDED THAT HE OBSERVED N7970B SHORTLY AFTER IT HAD LIFTED OFF OF RWY 36 AND THAT IT 'APPEARED TO HAVE AN UNUSUALLY HIGH ANGLE OF ATTACK, WENT INTO A RIGHT BANK, AND THEN APPEARED TO STALL...'
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PST
Nearest AirportFallbrook (0nm N)
Runway36
Runway Length2160 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN7970B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 8 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:46
Weather SourceWFAC