# NTSB LAX83LA079: Cessna 140, N2180N, Mt. Baldy, CA, January 23, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1983, 10:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Mt. Baldy, CA
- Location: 34.2361° N, 117.6601° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mount Baldy, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2361&lon=-117.6601&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23604
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23604/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT WHILE HE WAS FLYING TOWARD THE CREST OF MT BALDY, HE WAS BLINDED BY THE SUN REFLECTING OFF OF THE FRESHLY COVERED SNOW PEAK. AS HE REACHED FOR HIS SUN GLASSES, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE MOUNTAIN ABOUT 10 FT BELOW THE CREST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2180N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12416
- Airframe hours: 1458
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jimmie H. New
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1982, 158 hours before
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,346 total, 155 in this make and model, 78 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830123002199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830123002199A), Jan 23, 1983: Cessna 140, Mt Baldy, CA, Substantial damage. Blinded by sun while flying in close proximity to mountain. Pilot reached for sunglasses. Crashed into mountain.

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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