# NTSB LAX85FA069: Cessna 152, N49806, Rosamond, CA, December 13, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 12, 1984, 17:29 local (Dec 13, 1984, 01:29 UTC)
- Place: Rosamond, CA
- Coordinates: 34.870502, -118.339866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8705&lon=-118.3399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24441
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24441/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA069

## 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 (cause)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command
  - weather condition - snow (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

ACFT CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHILE ON A VFR FLIGHT. NO RECORD OF THE PLT OBTAINING A WX BRIEFING WAS FOUND. LOCAL RESIDENTS 3-4 MILES FROM ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED CLOUDS, FOG, RAIN, SNOW AND HAIL OBSCURED THE MOUNTAINS ON THE AFTERNOON OF 12/12/84 ON THROUGH THE NIGHT. PLT'S SON STATED, PLT DID NOT LIKE TO CHECK WX OR FILE FLT PLANS AND WAS KNOWN TO FLY THROUGH CLOUDS TO REACH VMC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49806](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49806-2012-09-05), registration cancelled 2012-09-05, S/N 15283518, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15283518
- Airframe hours: 1071
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John W. Giffen Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: CRO, CORCORAN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 513 total, 52 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 345° at 25 knots, gusting 35
- Temperature: 39 °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 19841212068209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841212068209A), Dec 12, 1984: Cessna 152, Rosemond, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into rain, snow, and poor visibility. Impacted rising terrain. No weather briefing, disliked talking to FAA.

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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