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NTSB Report
May 22, 1984 · Cessna 172N · N73857
Ballard, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Ballard, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N73857
Operator
John G Roberts
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
LAX84LA313
THE PILOT OF N73857, A CESSNA 172 AND THE PILOT OF N521ST, A CESSNA 305 ARRANGED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT TO FLY A 'MISSING MAN' FORMATION WITH TWO OTHER AIRCRAFT. THE PLT OF N73857 WAS INSTRUCTED TO FLY TO THE LEFT REAR OF THE LEAD ACFT, N521ST. THE PILOT OF N521ST REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED N73857 OVERTAKE HIS AIRCRAFT FROM HIS LEFT REAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER HIS AIRCRAFT AWAY FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE PLT OF N521ST STATED THAT HIS WAS THE LEADING AIRCRAFT AND THE OTHER PILOT IN N73857 WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING HIS REARWARD POSITION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT OF N73857, A CESSNA 172 AND THE PILOT OF N521ST, A CESSNA 305 ARRANGED PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT TO FLY A 'MISSING MAN' FORMATION WITH TWO OTHER AIRCRAFT. THE PLT OF N73857 WAS INSTRUCTED TO FLY TO THE LEFT REAR OF THE LEAD ACFT, N521ST. THE PILOT OF N521ST REPORTED THAT HE OBSERVED N73857 OVERTAKE HIS AIRCRAFT FROM HIS LEFT REAR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MANEUVER HIS AIRCRAFT AWAY FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID THE COLLISION. THE PLT OF N521ST STATED THAT HIS WAS THE LEADING AIRCRAFT AND THE OTHER PILOT IN N73857 WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING HIS REARWARD POSITION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN73857
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
OperatorJohn G Roberts
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160 | Continental · O-470-11 · Reciprocating · 213
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 59 · Second Class
Crew 2Age 42 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time11:20