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NTSB Report
November 28, 1986 · Cessna 172N · N2371E
Santa Paula, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 28, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N2371E
Operator
Air Mobile
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87FA057
A CESSNA 172 & A DEHAVILLAND GIPSY MOTH COLLIDED AT 150 FT. AGL WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE UNCONTROLLED ARPT. ON BASE LEG THE PLT FLYING THE MOTH FAILED TO OBSERVE & YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO THE CESSNA WHICH WAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ON THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE MOTH'S PLT TURNED ON TO FINAL APPROACH SLIGHTLY IN FRONT OF & ABOVE THE CESSNA. BETWEEN 5 - 10 SEC. LATER THE MOTH'S PROPELLER SLICED IN TO & PARTIALLY SEVERED AN OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING. THE CESSNA PLT HAD BROADCAST HIS POSITION WHILE IN THE DOWNWIND, BASE & FINAL APPROACH LEGS OF THE LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN. HOWEVER, THE ARPT HAD A PUBLISHED RIGHT-HAND PATTERN. THE MOTH WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A COMMUNICATION RADIO.
Full Narrative
A CESSNA 172 & A DEHAVILLAND GIPSY MOTH COLLIDED AT 150 FT. AGL WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO THE UNCONTROLLED ARPT. ON BASE LEG THE PLT FLYING THE MOTH FAILED TO OBSERVE & YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY TO THE CESSNA WHICH WAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ON THE FINAL APPROACH COURSE. THE MOTH'S PLT TURNED ON TO FINAL APPROACH SLIGHTLY IN FRONT OF & ABOVE THE CESSNA. BETWEEN 5 - 10 SEC. LATER THE MOTH'S PROPELLER SLICED IN TO & PARTIALLY SEVERED AN OUTBOARD PORTION OF THE CESSNA'S RIGHT WING. THE CESSNA PLT HAD BROADCAST HIS POSITION WHILE IN THE DOWNWIND, BASE & FINAL APPROACH LEGS OF THE LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC PATTERN. HOWEVER, THE ARPT HAD A PUBLISHED RIGHT-HAND PATTERN. THE MOTH WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A COMMUNICATION RADIO.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:25 PST
Nearest AirportSanta Paula (1nm SW)
Runway0
Runway Length2650 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN2371E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAir Mobile
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-A2AD · Reciprocating · 160 | De Havilland · GIPSY 2 · Reciprocating · 105
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class
Crew 2Age 57 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO