# NTSB LAX85LA057: Beech C24R, N60102, Rialto, CA, December 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 3, 1984, 07:31 local (15:31 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100273, -117.380424 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1003&lon=-117.3804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24602
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24602/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA057

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AT ABOUT 0730 PST, WITNESSES NEAR THE LYTLE CREEK RANGER STATION, LOCATED NORTHWEST OF RIALTO, CA, HEARD AN ACFT CIRCLING LOW IN THE AREA, THEN HEARD THE SOUND OF IMPACT NEARBY. THE WX AT THE TIME WAS DESCRIBED AS OVERCAST WITH ZERO VISIBILITY IN FOG & LIGHT DRIZZLE. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT WHEN THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT TELEPHONED THE TUCSON, AZ, FSS FOR A WX BRIEFING, HE WAS ADVISED THAT VISUAL FLIGHT RULES FLT TO SAN JOSE, CA, WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60102](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60102-1988-08-17), registration cancelled 1988-08-17, S/N MC621 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH C24R
- Registry model: [Beech C24R](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c24r) (registry code 1151254) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC621
- Airframe hours: 1962
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: California Aviation
- Registered owner: Millard C. Johnson
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 17, 1984, 46 hours before
- Departed: TUS, TUSCON, AZ
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dawn
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 18 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 19841203064319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841203064319A), Dec 3, 1984: Beech C24R, Rialto, CA, Destroyed. VFR pilot flew into IFR conditions in mountainous area and collided with terrain. VFR not recommended.

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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