# NTSB LAX83FA144: Cessna U2061, N1456M, Pt Reyes, CA, March 9, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1983, 16:15 local (Mar 9, 1983, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Pt Reyes, CA
- Coordinates: 38.049659, -122.85942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0497&lon=-122.8594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23436
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23436/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA144

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE CESSNA U2061, PURCHASED THAT DAY BY THE OCCUPANTS, COLLIDED WITH TREES ON A HILLSIDE 10 MILES FROM PT. REYES, CA. AN EYEWITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT FLYING INTO WORSENING WEATHER AT 500 AGL OR LOWER UNDER A THIN CLOUD LAYER IN THE OLEMA VALLEY. DURING THE WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO FLIGHT, VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND A SUBSEQUENT ENGINE TEARDOWN DID NOT REVEAL ANY INDICATIONS OF PREIMPACT FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1456M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1456M-2012-08-01), registration cancelled 2012-08-01, S/N U20601456, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U2061
- Registry model: [Cessna U206E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206e) (registry code 2073350) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 020601456
- Airframe hours: 2721
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mr. Wilson & Mr. Richmond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CA35, SAN RAFAEL, CA
- Destination: S07, BEND, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 32 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 19830308007809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830308007809A), Mar 8, 1983: Cessna U206E, Point Reyes, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into rising terrain while flying into deteriorating weather conditions.

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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