# NTSB LAX83LA306: Cessna C170A, N1239D, Cajon Pass, CA, June 26, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 26, 1983, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Cajon Pass, CA
- Coordinates: 34.490394, -117.359947 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4904&lon=-117.3599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23766
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA306
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23766/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA306

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS FLYING ABOUT 40 FT AGL IN MARGINAL WEATHER WHEN THE ACFT CONTACTED A POWER LINE AND CRASHED. NO FLT PLAN WASFILED AND THERE IS NO RECORD OF A WEATHER BRIEFING FOR THE PLT. THE PLT STATED HE WAS FOLLOWING A HIGHWAY UP A PASS WHENHE ENCOUNTERED MARGINAL VISIBILITY. HE SAID HE COULD NOT TURN AROUND DUE TO LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERRAIN. A WITNESS SAID HE SAW THE ACFT ABOUT 4O FT AGL AND SAW IT COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AND COME DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY. THE PLT SAID HE SHOULD HAVE MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN BEFORE HE GOT INTO THE REDUCED VISIBILITY. HE SAID THAT WHEN HE SAW THE POWER LINES HE ADDED FULL POWER BUT THE STALL WARNING SOUNDED SO HE PUT THE NOSEDOWN AND TRIED TO GO BETWEEN THE POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1239D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1239D-2012-06-07), registration cancelled 2012-06-07, S/N 19793, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA C170A
- Registry model: [Cessna 170A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170a) (registry code 2072304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 19793
- Airframe hours: 2474
- Engines: CONTINENTAL 5533-D-O-2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James N. Peterson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1983, 7 hours before
- Departed: L67, RIALTO, CA
- Destination: 0L8, HANFORD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 394 total, 96 in this make and model, 349 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 30 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 19830626026659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830626026659A), Jun 26, 1983: Cessna 170A, Cajon Pass, CA, Substantial damage. Forced to a low altitude by lowering weather aircraft collided with wires and crashed.

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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