# NTSB LAX85FA198: Cessna 140, N140MC, Petaluma, CA, April 11, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1985, 20:25 local (Apr 11, 1985, 04:25 UTC)
- Place: Petaluma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.20943, -122.759849 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2094&lon=-122.7598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA198
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA198

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ATP PLT INITIATED A SHORT X-COUNTRY FLT AT NIGHT IN AN ACFT WITH NO ATTITUDE GYRO INSTRUMENTS. JUST BEFORE THE ACFT CRASHED, WITNESSES HEARD THE ACFT. THEY REPORTED THAT THE ENG SOUNDED LIKE THE PLT WAS DOING STUNTS OR SHARP TURNS. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT SEE THE ACFT BECAUSE OF THE FOG OR CLOUD COVER AT ABOUT 600 FT. SUDDENLY THEY SAW A LIGHT THAT IMMEDIATELY WENT TOWARD THE GROUND. AT ABOUT THAT SAME TIME, THEY HEARD THE ENG WHINE AS IF THE ACFT WAS IN A DIVE. THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED & THEY HEARD A THUD. THE ACFT WAS LOCATED WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN A POND. DURING AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE NO PREIMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR ENG WAS FOUND. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH A NEEDLE BALL, AIRSPEED INDICATOR, ALTIMETER & MAGNETIC COMPASS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N140MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N140MC-2012-06-27), registration cancelled 2012-06-27, S/N 12373, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 12373
- Airframe hours: 3612
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry Stergoiu
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1984, 61 hours before
- Departed: HWD, HAYWARD, CA
- Destination: STS, SANTA ROSA, CA
- Airport: 069, Petaluma Sky Ranch

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,202 total, 6,833 as pilot in command, 263 in the last 90 days, 95 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 260° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 16 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 19850410049969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850410049969A), Apr 10, 1985: Cessna STC140, Petaluma, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft was seen descending from fog and heading straight down on dark night. Impacted pond. Primary panel only.

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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