# NTSB LAX85FA088: Cessna 182Q, N735MJ, Upland, CA, December 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 27, 1984, 19:15 local (Dec 28, 1984, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Upland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099327, -117.660331 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0993&lon=-117.6603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24450
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24450/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA088

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - in-flight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in flight weather avoidance assistance - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pressure induced by others, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT & 3 PAX DEPARTED PALO ALTO FOR AN INTENDED 3-HOUR LONG DAY VFR FLT TO SANTA ANA, CA. THE FINAL DESTINATION WAS TO BE MX. THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN AT NIGHT OR ON INSTRUMENTS IN OVER 6 YRS. HE ELECTED TO DELAY DEPARTING PAO UNTIL 1611 PST DUE TO FORECAST MARGINAL WEATHER. THE PLT DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ATC OR FSS WHILE EN ROUTE & UPON ARRIVAL IN SOUTHERN CA, AT NIGHT, MARGINAL VFR WX WAS ENCOUNTERED. A LOCALIZED AREA OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EXISTED OVER UPLAND, APRX 28 MILES NORTH OF SNA. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CIRCLE CABLE ARPT. WHEN SOUTH OF THE ARPT AND FLYING ON A NORTHERLY HEADING AT CRUISE SPEED, IT DESCENDED AND CRASHED INTO AN UNPOPULATES AND DARK AREA OF LEVEL TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N735MJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18265529
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U(2) 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: West Valley Flying Club
- Registered owner: Robert R. Claypool
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 5, 1984, 74 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,037 total, 612 in this make and model, 942 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 80° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 5 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 19841227070539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841227070539A), Dec 27, 1984: Cessna 182Q, Upland, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Descended into dark area colliding with bushes on level terrain. Pilot not night or IFR current.

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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