# NTSB LAX84LA187: Cessna 177B, N34849, Lucerne, CA, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1984, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Lucerne, CA
- Coordinates: 39.159484, -122.749984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1595&lon=-122.7500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24177
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA187
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24177/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA187

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

UPON REACHING HIS DESTINATION, THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE ARPT BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF A SOLID LOWER LAYER OF CLOUDS. WHILE LOOKING FOR A BREAK IN THE CLOUD LAYER FOR A VFR DESCENT, THE PLT 'INADVERTENTLY FLEW INTO IFR CONDITIONS,' & IMPACTED TREES. THERE WAS NO INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE AT THE DESTINATION ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N34849](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N34849-2013-03-07), registration cancelled 2013-03-07, S/N 17702043, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177B
- Registry model: [Cessna 177B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177b) (registry code 2073708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17702043
- Airframe hours: 1440
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerome A. Weinbaum Md,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: CIC, CHICO, CA
- Destination: 209, LOWER LAKE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,100 total, 700 in this make and model, 900 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## 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 19840220003999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840220003999A), Feb 20, 1984: Cessna 177B, Lucerne, CA, Destroyed. Pilot flew aircraft into clouds and crashed into side of a mountain while looking for a hole in undercast.

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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