# NTSB LAX85FA070: Cessna R172K, N7310K, Desert Center, CA, December 14, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 13, 1984, 18:05 local (Dec 14, 1984, 02:05 UTC)
- Place: Desert Center, CA
- Coordinates: 33.760528, -115.46968 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7605&lon=-115.4697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24442
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24442/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - icing conditions
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - aircraft performance - exceeded (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT DEPARTED ON AN IFR FLIGHT AFTER RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH INCLUDED FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS FOR LIGHT TO MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS AND IN PRECIPITATION FROM 7,000 FT TO 20,000 FT. THE PILOT REPORTED PICKING UP ICE AND THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB OR TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N7310K (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1722049
- Airframe hours: 1788
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Glenn D. Collins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 3, 1984, 5 hours before
- Departed: PHX, PHOENIX, AZ
- Destination: LGB, LONG BEACH, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 633 total, 477 in this make and model, 514 as pilot in command, 23 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM, 82 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 19841213069319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841213069319A), Dec 13, 1984: Cessna R172K, Desert Center, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Reported to ATC that he was descending with heavy ice. Crashed in mountainous area. Icing in forecast.

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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