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NTSB Report
June 4, 1986 · Cessna 177B · N35252
Fullerton, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 4, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Fullerton, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 177B
Tail Number
N35252
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX86FA240
THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A FLT TO PROVIDE TRAFFIC REPORTS TO A LOCAL BROADCASTING STATION. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT SHORTLY AFTERTAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK ANGLE, THEN PLUMMETED TOWARD THE GND. WHILE STILL IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, IT CRASHED INTO A TRACTOR-TRAILER RIG & BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME & ENG DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE ENG ACCESSORIES WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE. AN EXAM OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT IT WAS TURNING WITH SOME POWER BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & BRAIN TISSUE SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.04% & 0.05%, RESPECTIVELY.
Full Narrative
THE PLT TOOK OFF ON A FLT TO PROVIDE TRAFFIC REPORTS TO A LOCAL BROADCASTING STATION. WITNESSES RPRTD THAT SHORTLY AFTERTAKEOFF, THE ENG BEGAN TO MISFIRE. THE ACFT ENTERED A STEEP LEFT BANK ANGLE, THEN PLUMMETED TOWARD THE GND. WHILE STILL IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, IT CRASHED INTO A TRACTOR-TRAILER RIG & BURNED. AN EXAM OF THE AIRFRAME & ENG DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT PART MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE ENG ACCESSORIES WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE. AN EXAM OF THE PROPELLER REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT IT WAS TURNING WITH SOME POWER BEING DEVELOPED AT IMPACT. TOXICOLOGY CHECKS OF THE PLT'S BLOOD & BRAIN TISSUE SHOWED ALCOHOL LVLS OF 0.04% & 0.05%, RESPECTIVELY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:18 PDT
Nearest AirportFullerton (1nm NE)
Runway6
Runway Length3210 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 177B
Tail NumberN35252
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A1F6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time13:46
Weather SourceWFAC