# NTSB LAX85FA218: Cessna 152, N69118, Sunland, CA, April 21, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1985, 15:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Sunland, CA
- Coordinates: 34.259895, -118.320487 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2599&lon=-118.3205&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): 24497
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24497/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA218

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - total, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT GOT HIS PVT PLT CERT 6 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT & PLANNED A LOCAL FLT TO A NEIGHBORING ARPT JUST OVER A COASTAL MTN RANGE FROM THE DEP APRT. 9 NM NORTH OF THE DEPARPT, THE ACCIDENT SITE IS ALMOST ON A DIRECT LINE BETWEEN THE DEP & DEST ARPTS. THE SITE IS ALSO 200 FT BELOW THE CREST OF A 5,100 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT THE END OF A CANYON. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND INDICATING THAT THE PLT REQUESTED OR RECEIVED A WX BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLT. THE WX REPORTS INDICATE THAT BASES OF THE OVERCAST LAYER WERE AT 3,300 FT & TOPS AT ABOUT 6,000 FT, WITH MODERATE TO SEVERE DOWNDRAFTS & TURBULENCE REPORTED BY OTHER PLTS IN THE AREA. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED THE MTN SIDE AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE IN A CLIMB ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N69118 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15282494
- Airframe hours: 2323
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pilot'S Co-Op
- Registered owner: Everett G. Orozco
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 27, 1985, 89 hours before
- Departed: BUR, BURBANK, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 74 total, 35 in this make and model, 23 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 11 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 19850421015349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850421015349A), Apr 21, 1985: Cessna 152, Sunland, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into canyon with low ceiling. Impacted side of canyon. Pireps indicated moderate turbulence in general area.

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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