# NTSB LAX84FA136: Cessna 185, N93086, Union City, CA, January 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 10, 1984, 16:30 local (Jan 11, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Union City, CA
- Coordinates: 37.599788, -122.019309 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5998&lon=-122.0193&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23928
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23928/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA136

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO HILLY TERRAIN IN AN ALMOST VERTICAL HIGH SPEED POWER ON DESCENT. A WITNESS ABOUT 64 MILES NORTH OF THE ACCIDENT SITE HAD SEEN AN ACFT THAT MET THE DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCIDENT ACFT 'SCUD RUNNING', OR FLYING BENEATH THE LOW CLOUD BASES ABOUT ABOUT 500-600 FT AGL AND HEADING SOUTHBOUND TOWARD THE ACCIDENT AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N93086](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N93086-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18503174, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185
- Registry model: [Cessna A185F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185f) (registry code 2072821) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18503174
- Airframe hours: 1570
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D-24 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ben G. Laskey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 11, 1983, 11 hours before
- Departed: BIGGS, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,218 total, 245 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 55 °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 19840110001419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840110001419A), Jan 10, 1984: Cessna A185F, Union City, CA, Destroyed. VFR pilot lost control continuing scud running flight into near zero IMC. Near vertical impact. No weather brief.

## Other investigations on N93086 (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA79FYK24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYK24), Aug 25, 1979: Cessna A185F (N93086), Eugene, OR, substantial damage

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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