# NTSB LAX85LA182: Cessna P210N, N7748K, Mountain Pass, CA, March 19, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1985, 16:45 local (Mar 19, 1985, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Mountain Pass, CA
- Location: 35.4703° N, 115.5450° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Mountain Pass, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4703&lon=-115.5450&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): 24680
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24680/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA182

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DEPARTED INTO A WEATHER FRONT. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. FLT PRECAUTIONS EXISTED FOR ICING, TURBULENCE & MT OBSCURATION. THE RADAR CHART SHOWED LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. THE ACFT WAS ISSUED A CLEARANCE OUT OF THE TCA TO CLIMB & MAINTAIN 6500 FT. THE ACFT WAS LOCATED AFTER IT WAS MISSING FOR 4 DAYS.IT HAD STRUCK A MOUNTAIN AND RESTED AT THE 6800 FT MSL LEVEL. RADAR INFORMATION CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT WAS INBOUND BACK TOWARD ITS POINT OF DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7748K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7748K-1985-12-10), registration cancelled 1985-12-10, S/N P21000422 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA P210N
- Registry model: [Cessna P210N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p210n) (registry code 2073454) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 00422
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-P 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Virgil Falldorf
- Registered owner: Virgil H. Falldorf, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 29, 1984
- Departed: LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Airport: 3L2, Skyranch Estates

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 330° at 26 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 39 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 19850318011229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850318011229A), Mar 18, 1985: Cessna P210N, Mountain Pass, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into area with Mountain tops obscured. Impacted side of Mountain. Notamed precaution for turbulence and icing.

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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