# NTSB LAX84FA134: Cessna P206, N2645X, Redding, CA, January 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1984, 18:50 local (Jan 5, 1984, 02:50 UTC)
- Place: Redding, CA
- Coordinates: 40.599105, -122.460289 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5991&lon=-122.4603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23927
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23927/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA134

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT CONTACTED A FSS & WAS ADVISED THAT THE REDDING ARPT WAS BELOW MINIMUMS DUE TO FOG. HE THEN CONTACTED THE BENTON UNICOM (7 MI NW OF REDDING MUNI) & REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT SEE THE RWY LIGHTS AT THE BENTON ARPT, BUT THAT HE WOULD ATTEMPT TO LOCATE ENTERPRISE ARPT WHICH WAS 5 MI EAST OF BENTON. ALSO, HE STATED THAT HE WAS LOW ON FUEL, & SINCE HE COULD SEE THE LIGHTS ON EUREKA WAY (CALIFORNIA STATE HIGHWAY 299W), HE WOULD USE IT IF NECESSARY. A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH 2 OVERHEAD GROUND LINES WHICH WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SHASTA TRACY 230 KV TRANSMISSION LINE. THE CABLES WERE 1/2 INCH IN DIAMETER & LOCATED NEAR EUREKA WAY, 120 FT AGL, & APRX 1-1/2 MI FROM THE BENTON ARPT. AFTER HITTING THE CABLES THE ACFT IMPACTED ON EUREKA WAY. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2645X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2645X-2013-06-11), registration cancelled 2013-06-11, S/N P206-0145, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P206
- Registry model: [Cessna P206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206) (registry code 2073304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: P2060145
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary H. Drumm
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Airport: 085, Benton

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 6 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 8 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 19840104000199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840104000199A), Jan 4, 1984: Cessna P206, Redding, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Low on fuel dark night and ground fog. Struck power line cables trying to land at home base.

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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