# NTSB DCA89MA026: Cessna 402B, N69383, Corona, CA, February 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Major investigation · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1989, 12:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 10 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 1, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Major Investigations Division
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15915
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DCA89MA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15915/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA89MA026

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY PREFLIGHT AND PLAN FOR FLIGHT AND HIS INTENTIONAL FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE LOW CEILING CONDITIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, descent - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command
  - in-flight weather advisories - disregarded, pilot in command
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS OPERATING AN ON-DEMAND AIR TAXI PASSENGER FLT TO SANTA ANA, CA. THE ACDT OCCURRED DRG DESCENT, WHEN THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A MTN AT 2060 FT MSL. THE PLT HAD RCVD A PREFLT WX BRIEFING IN WHICH HE WAS ADVISED OF LOW CEILINGS AND REDUCED VIS IN THE LOS ANGELES BASIN, SURROUNDING MTNS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, AND THAT VFR FLT TO SANTA ANA WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. HE DEPARTED VFR. WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT SANTA ANA WAS REPORTING 1400 FT OVCST WITH 5 MILES VIS. A VIDEOTAPE RECORDED BY A PASSENGER SHOWED MTN PEAKS PROTRUDING THROUGH A SOLID CLOUD LAYER AND SHOWED THE ACFT DESCENDING INTO THE CLOUDS. WITNESSES DESCRIBED A LOW CLOUD CEILING NR THE CRASH SITE AND CLOUD TOPS AT 5000 FT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED EVIDENCE OF POWERED FLT AND NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT CONTROL OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION.RECORDS INDICATED THAT THE PLT HAD ENCOUNTERED IMC ON ONLY 1 FLT IN THE PREVIOUS 9 MOS. HE WAS DIR OF OPNS FOR THE OPERATOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69383](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69383-1989-03-10), registration cancelled 1989-03-10, S/N 402B0527 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402B
- Registry model: [Cessna 402B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402b) (registry code 207590P) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402B-0527
- Airframe hours: 3129
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-E5B 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Las Vegas Flyers, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 18, 1989
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,000 total, 572 in this make and model, 3,870 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19890219002179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890219002179A), Feb 19, 1989: Cessna 402B, Corona, CA, Destroyed, 10 fatal. Descended VFR into clouds. Struck a cloud obscured hill.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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