# NTSB LAX85FA197: Cessna 177, N2907X, Fallbrook, CA, April 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1985, 18:47 local (Apr 10, 1985, 02:47 UTC)
- Place: Fallbrook, CA
- Coordinates: 33.389648, -117.209266 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3896&lon=-117.2093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA197
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA197

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - object - tree(s)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ALTHOUGH AWARE OF EXISTING IMC CONDITIONS AND REDUCED LIGHTING WITH THE SETTING OF THE SUN, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL APCH TO HIS HOME ARPT WHICH DID NOT HAVE AN APPROVED APCH. HIS REMARKS TO MCCLELLEN-PALOMAR TWR, REGARDING THE USE OF THE ON-BOARD LORAN RECEIVER, AND CHARTS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE DEPICTING COORDINATES OF HIS HOME ARPT INDICATE THE PLT WAS PROBABLY USING THE LORAN TO GET A FIX ON THE ARPT. THE LOCATION OF THE LORAN DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REQUIRED THE PLT'S FLT-INSTRUMENT SCAN PATTERN TO BE INCREASED TO THE RIGHT OF THE NORMAL PATTERN. THE INCREASED SCAN PATTERN PROBABLY RESULTED IN THE DIVERSION OF THE PLT'S ATTENTION FROM THE FLT INSTRUMENTS, ALLOWING THE ACFT TO DESCEND INTO TREES. WITNESSES STATED DENSE FOG WAS PRESENT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2907X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2907X-1988-07-21), registration cancelled 1988-07-21, S/N 17700307 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700307
- Airframe hours: 1256
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carl D. Luke
- Registered owner: Carl D. Luke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 26, 1984, 50 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: FALLBROOK, CA
- Airport: L18, Fallbrook Airpark

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 3,000 as pilot in command, 94 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFG, 6 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 19850409011639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850409011639A), Apr 9, 1985: Cessna 177, Fallbrook, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft hit trees during a VFR approach in IFR conditions. Pilot using unapproved navigation equipment.

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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