# NTSB LAX81FA016: Cessna 172N, N5259J, Fillmore, CA, November 17, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 17, 1980
- Place: Fillmore, CA · FILLMORE, CA
- Location: 34.3990° N, 118.9175° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Fillmore, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3990&lon=-118.9175&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 127511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA016
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA016

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3752  80/11/17 NR.FILLMORE,CA        CESSNA 172N         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             STUDENT, AGE 56, 59 TOTAL
        TIME - 2030                    N5259J              PX-  0  0  0  BUSINESS                  HOURS, 56 IN TYPE, NOT
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION         LAST ENROUTE STOP
          SAN FRANCISCO,CA            BURBANK,CA                   FRESNO,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGMENT
        REMARKS- BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL 0.26%.CRASHED AT 4500FT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5259J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5259J-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 17273747, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19801117090459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19801117090459A), Nov 17, 1980: Cessna 172N, Fillmore, CA, Destroyed. Flew into side of mountain at dark night. Not endorsed for flght. Record of heart disease and alcoholism.

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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