# NTSB LAX83FA388: Cessna P206B, N4738F, Kernville, CA, August 16, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1983, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Kernville, CA
- Coordinates: 35.729614, -118.389167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7296&lon=-118.3892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA388
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA388

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS CONDUCTING AN AERIAL SEARCH IN A BOX CANYON. ACCORDING TO THE SURVIVING PAX THEY RAN OUT OF ROOM TO TURN THE ACFT AROUND IN THE CANYON. THE ACFT CRASHED AT THE 3,850 FT LEVEL. SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN PEAKS ARE 9,470 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4738F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4738F-2012-08-06), registration cancelled 2012-08-06, S/N P206-0338, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206B
- Registry model: [Cessna P206B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206b) (registry code 2073309) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0338
- Airframe hours: 5324
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Lansing L. Warren
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 3, 1983, 67 hours before
- Departed: L05, KERNVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,879 total, 810 in this make and model, 1,781 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19830816041639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830816041639A), Aug 16, 1983: Cessna P206B, Kernville, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot entered box canyon that he could not turn out of. Aircraft crashed at 3850 foot level.

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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