# NTSB LAX85FA304: Maule M-6-180, N5658F, Corona, CA, July 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1985, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Corona, CA
- Location: 33.8753° N, 117.5664° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Corona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8753&lon=-117.5664&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): 24519
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA304
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24519/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA304

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - airspeed(vmc) - not possible
  - stall - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- On ground/water collision with object, other
  - object - vehicle

## Analysis

DURING A BANNER TOWING MISSION, THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT LOW ALT NEAR CALIFORNIA STATE FREEWAY 91. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE BANNER COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES AFTER THE ACFT HAD CROSSED OVER THE LINES AT A RELATIVELY SLOW SPEED. THE BANNER & TOW CABLE/ROPE RELEASED FROM THE ACFT & THE BANNER CAME TO REST ON THE POWER LINES. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT WHEN THE BANNER HIT THE POWER LINES, THE ACFT'S FORWARD MOVEMENT APPEARED TO STOP, THEN THE ACFT DROPPED OFF TO ITS LEFT & DESCENDED INTO THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING TRACTOR-TRAILER TRUCK. THE ACFT HAD NEARLY RECOVERED FROM THE DESCENT WHEN IT IMPACTED THE FREEWAY. THE DRIVER OF THE TRACTOR-TRAILER & HIS WIFE EXITED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY; HOWEVER, THEIR SON, WHO EXITED THE RIGHT SIDE DURING THE EVACUATION, RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES. THE ACFT & TRACTOR WERE DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACFT OR TOWING EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH THE POWER LINES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5658F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5658F-1985-08-16), registration cancelled 1985-08-16, S/N 8067C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-180
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-180) (registry code 5470106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8067C
- Airframe hours: 335
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Banner Airlines
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 6, 1985, 88 hours before
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: CNO, CHINO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 496 total, 79 in this make and model, 361 as pilot in command, 79 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNO, 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 19850702028979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850702028979A), Jul 2, 1985: Maule M6180, Corona, CA, Destroyed. Banner struck powerlines and remained suspended as aircraft descended to freeway. Struck a truck and burned.

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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