Cessna 172M accident near Garberville, California, June 12, 1985
On June 12, 1985 at about 11:35 pm local time, a Cessna 172M, registered N12385, was substantially damaged in an accident near Garberville, California (Big Flat airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 1985 · about 11:35 pm local time
- Place
- Garberville, California · Big Flat
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 4 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 172M · all 172Ms on the register
- Registration
- N12385 · no longer on the register · serial 17261960
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PLT TOOK OFF IN A RIGHT QUARTERING X-WIND OF ABOUT 45 DEGS AT 15 KTS WITH GUSTS TO 20 KTS. THERE WERE FOUR PERSONS AND 30 GALS OF FUEL ON BOARD. THE RWY WAS 2500 FT IN LENGTH.THE PLT STATED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER LIFTOFF A GUST OF WIND PUSHED THE ACFT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS STILL LOW ENOUGH TO THE GROUND THAT ITS LANDING GEAR ANDHORIZONTAL STABILIZER CONTACTED A MOUND OF DIRT WHICH WAS 2 TO 3 FT HIGH. THIS CONTACT SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGED THE ACFT WHICH CONTINUED FLT TO IT'S PREPLANNED DESTINATION BEFORE LANDING.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 100 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 27, 1985
- Maximum gross weight: 2,150 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: O28 Willits CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,500 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 3 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.