# NTSB LAX83FUM06: Cessna 172RG, N4789R, San Clemente, CA, June 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 21:40 local (Jun 5, 1983, 04:40 UTC)
- Place: San Clemente, CA
- Coordinates: 32.699573, -117.189201 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6996&lon=-117.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23559
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23559/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUM06

## 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 - rising (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ON SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND DURING A FISH SPOTTING FLT ON A DARK NIGHT. THESE FLTS ARE USUALLY FLOWN AT AN ALT OF 1000-2000 FT AGL. A NAVY WITNESS ON THE ACCIDENT ISLAND SAID THE CEILING WAS ZERO AND THE VISIBILITY ABOUT 200 YARDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE ACFT DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL 1415 HOURS ON JUNE 5. THE PILOT WAS HOSPITALIZED UNTIL JUNE 11 AND DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE IS 1060 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4789R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4789R-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N 172RG0032, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0032
- Airframe hours: 1513
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-FIA6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frank M. Iacono
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1983, 109 hours before
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,388 total, 1,056 in this make and model, 4,313 as pilot in command, 85 in the last 90 days, 77 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NUC, 5 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 19830604044929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604044929A), Jun 4, 1983: Cessna 172RG, San Clemente Is, CA, Destroyed. Witness stated weather was zero ceiling and visibility 200 yards at approximate time of accident.

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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