# NTSB LAX87FA117: Cessna 180J, N52184, Newhall, CA, February 15, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 15, 1987, 09:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Newhall, CA
- Coordinates: 34.359252, -118.469459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3593&lon=-118.4695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25380
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25380/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA117

## 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 - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - spiral - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

BASED ON AVAILABLE EVIDENCE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0700 AND 0830 HRS DURING A PERIOD OF LOW CEILINGS AND RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES IN THE AREA WHERE THE ACCD TOOK PLACE. THE ACCD SITE IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAIN PASS AREA BETWEEN TWO VALLEYS. THE DEPT POINT, TIME, ROUTE OF FLT, AND DEST OF THE FLT ARE UNK. A WHITE POWDERY SUBSTANCE, LATER IDENTIFIED AS METHAMPHETIMINE, WAS FOUND WIDELY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE CABIN AREA AND THE SORROUNDING GROUND AT THE ACCD SITE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE 46 DEGREE SLOPE OF THE MOUNTAIN IN A HIGH SPEED DESCENT AT AN ANGLE OF ABT 45 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE ACFT HAD NOT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN TWO YEARS AND THE LAST DOCUMENTED BFR FOR THE PLT WAS IN AUGUST OF 1983. THE RESULTS OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS WERE NEGATIVE FOR ALCOHOL AND ALL DRUG SUBSTANCES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52184](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52184-1988-08-11), registration cancelled 1988-08-11, S/N 18052542 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180J
- Registry model: [Cessna 180J](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180j) (registry code 2072622) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18052542
- Airframe hours: 1287
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francis C. Bernadic
- Registered owner: Bernadic, Francis C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,200 total, 500 in this make and model, 1,110 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 8 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 19870215002709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870215002709A), Feb 15, 1987: Cessna 180J, Newhall, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a mountain. Indicated weather involved. Pilot was known to fly low and scud run.

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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