# NTSB LAX86FA048: Cessna 177RG, N7541V, San Bernardino, CA, November 28, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1985, 20:45 local (Nov 28, 1985, 04:45 UTC)
- Place: San Bernardino, CA
- Coordinates: 34.170989, -117.240173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1710&lon=-117.2402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24884
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA048
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24884/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA048

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command
  - light condition - dark night
  - vfr procedures - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - expectancy, pilot in command
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT & HIS FAMILY FLEW FROM TX TO CA. IT WAS NIGHT TIME UPON ARRIVAL AND THE PLT DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ANY FAA FACILITY. EARLIER IN THE FLT, DURING A REFUELING STOP, THE PLT HAD TELEPHONED A FRIEND AND HIS PARENTS TO ARRANGE TO BE PICKED UP AT HIS DESTINATION ARPT. UPON ARRIVING IN CA THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CIRCLE OVER HIS FRIEND'S HOUSE TO LET THEM KNOW OF HIS ARRIVAL. WHILE CIRCLING THE PLT COLLIDED WITH THE MOUNTAIN ON WHICH THE HOUSE WAS LOCATED. MVFR WEATHER WAS REPORTED 5 MI SOUTH AND 1200 FT BELOW THE CRASH SITE, AND THE REPORTED WEATHER WAS A CEILING AT 1000 FT AGL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7541V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7541V-2013-05-08), registration cancelled 2013-05-08, S/N 177RG0838, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 177RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177rg) (registry code 2073709) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-360-A1B6D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-360-a1b6d) (registry code 41593, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 177RG-0838
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1B6D 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norman Bailey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 1984
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Destination: L67, RIALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,582 total, 2,434 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 5 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 19851127058179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851127058179A), Nov 27, 1985: Cessna 177RG, San Bernadino, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew under the clouds at night in mountainous terrain. Impacted the side of a mountain. Not current under FAR 61.57E.

## Other investigations on N7541V (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW77FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FA066), Aug 5, 1977: Cessna 177RG (N7541V), Fort Worth, TX, substantial damage

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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