# NTSB LAX84LA079: Cessna 180, N91478, Las Vegas, NV, November 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1983, 17:00 local (Nov 28, 1983, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.180419, -115.170249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1804&lon=-115.1702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24100
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24100/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA079

## Sequence of events

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

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

## Analysis

WHILE ON A X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE CREST OF A 10,000 FT MOUNTAIN. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PLT HAD CIRCLED IN THE AREA PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT REPORTEDLY OCCURRED AT DUSK, BUT WITNESSES SAID THE AREA TO THE NORTH OF THE SITE WAS 'PITCH BLACK.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91478](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91478-2013-05-22), registration cancelled 2013-05-22, S/N 18052099, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180
- Registry model: [Cessna 180H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180h) (registry code 2072618) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052099
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ray Hamblin Elsmore
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 40° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 35 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 19831128059019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831128059019A), Nov 28, 1983: Cessna 180H, Las Vegas, NV, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed into side of 10,000 foot mountain, 200 feet from the top of 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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