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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 12, 1986 · Cessna 172P · N55386

Ontario, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 12, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ontario, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172P
Tail Number
N55386
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA117

THE OWNER/PLT (PIC) WAS ON A FLT FOR NIGHT & INSTRUMENT CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS. HE WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE LEFT FRONT SEAT WHILE A COMMERCIAL PLT (CP) WAS OCCUPYING THE RGT FRONT SEAT. DRG AN ILS RWY 26L FINAL APCH AT ONTARIO, CA, THE PIC & CP DISCUSSED A CONSTANT 'ON GLIDE SLOPE' INDICATION & ELECTED TO MAKE A LOCALIZER ONLY APCH. THE CP MISTAKENLYSELECTED AN INCORRECT APCH PLATE & ADVISED THE PIC THAT THE MIN DSCNT ALT (MDA) WAS 1060'. THE ACTUAL MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1240'. WHILE THEY WERE DISCUSSING THE ALT, THE ACFT DSCNDD & STRUCK ELEC TRANSMISSION LINES AT AN ELEV OF 992'. THE ACFT BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE LINES & REMAINED SUSPENDED FOR 4 HRS BEFORE THE PLTS WERE RESCUED.

Full Narrative

THE OWNER/PLT (PIC) WAS ON A FLT FOR NIGHT & INSTRUMENT CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS. HE WAS FLYING THE ACFT FROM THE LEFT FRONT SEAT WHILE A COMMERCIAL PLT (CP) WAS OCCUPYING THE RGT FRONT SEAT. DRG AN ILS RWY 26L FINAL APCH AT ONTARIO, CA, THE PIC & CP DISCUSSED A CONSTANT 'ON GLIDE SLOPE' INDICATION & ELECTED TO MAKE A LOCALIZER ONLY APCH. THE CP MISTAKENLYSELECTED AN INCORRECT APCH PLATE & ADVISED THE PIC THAT THE MIN DSCNT ALT (MDA) WAS 1060'. THE ACTUAL MDA FOR THE APCH WAS 1240'. WHILE THEY WERE DISCUSSING THE ALT, THE ACFT DSCNDD & STRUCK ELEC TRANSMISSION LINES AT AN ELEV OF 992'. THE ACFT BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE LINES & REMAINED SUSPENDED FOR 4 HRS BEFORE THE PLTS WERE RESCUED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:42 PST
Nearest AirportOntario Intl (2nm ENE)
Runway26L
Runway Length10200 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172P
Tail NumberN55386
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 41 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time03:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data