# NTSB LAX01LA193: Cessna 177RG, N8287G, Pauma Valley, CA, May 27, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 2001, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Pauma Valley, CA - Coordinates: 33.299419, -116.920051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2994&lon=-116.9201&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report November 28, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flt Stnds Dist Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 52361 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX01LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52361/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX01LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions and failure to maintain clearance from terrain during an approach for landing under visual flight rules. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - downwind - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The instrument-rated pilot stated that he was descending in visual flight rules conditions, and was on the extended downwind leg for landing at the destination airport. He intentionally flew into the top of what appeared to be an isolated, "puffy" cloud, expecting to be in the cloud only briefly and to see the runway again on the other side. The cloud was more expansive than he anticipated and the airplane continued to descend in the cloud for a period of time until the pilot saw vegetation on a mountainside a short distance in front of them. The pilot took evasive action and the airplane impacted upsloping mountainous terrain and slid to a stop through heavy sagebrush. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 2001, at 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N8287G, was substantially damaged when it impacted mountainous terrain during approach to the Pauma Valley, California, airport. The private certificated pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The personal cross-country flight departed Borrego Valley, California, at 1345, and was destined for Pauma Valley. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The instrument-rated pilot stated that he was descending in visual flight rules conditions, and was on the extended downwind leg for landing on runway 29 at the Pauma Valley airport. He intentionally flew into the top of what appeared to be an isolated, "puffy" cloud, expecting to be in the cloud only briefly and to see the runway again on the other side. The cloud was more expansive than he anticipated and the airplane continued to descend in the cloud for a period of time until the pilot saw vegetation on a mountainside a short distance in front of them. The pilot took evasive action and the airplane impacted upsloping mountainous terrain and slid to a stop through heavy sagebrush. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8287G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8287G-2001-07-27), registration cancelled 2001-07-27, S/N 177RG0187 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 177RG - Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 177RG0187 - Airframe hours: 1801 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lowell W. Dexter - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 15, 2000, 98 hours before - Departed: L08, BORREGO SPRINGS, CA - Destination: 95L, Pauma Valley, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 1, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 7,400 total, 4,800 in this make and model, 7,300 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: CRQ, 18 nm away ## 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 20010527016479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010527016479A), May 27, 2001: Cessna 177RG, Pauma Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 27, 2001, at 1535 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N8287G, was substantially damaged when it impacted mountainous terrain during… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.