# NTSB LAX81FA088: Cessna 172M, N12186, Tehachape, CA, May 19, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 19, 1981
- Place: Tehachape, CA · TEHACHAPE, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 5, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 79950
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX81FA088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81FA088-79950

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1004  81/5/19  NR.TEHACHAPE,CA       CESSNA 172M         CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 43, 367
        TIME - 1435                    N12186              PX-  1  1  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 67 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          PORTERVILLE,CA              RIVERSIDE,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - RAIN
           WEATHER - FOG
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        WEATHER BRIEFING - NO RECORD OF BRIEFING RECEIVED
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  4500
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          ZERO                                                     RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       40
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
          270                                                       5
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- MTN TOPS OBSCURED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12186](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12186-2012-06-12), registration cancelled 2012-06-12, S/N 17261869, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (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 19810519026819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810519026819A), May 19, 1981: Cessna 172M, Tehachapi, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot continued VFR flight into foggy conditions and collided with mountain at 5300 feet elevation.

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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