# NTSB LAX87FA213: Cessna P206, N2520X, Tehachapi, CA, May 22, 1987 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1987, 10:58 local (17:58 UTC) - Place: Tehachapi, CA - Coordinates: 35.119403, -118.510581 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1194&lon=-118.5106&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 4 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 28, 1989 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 25403 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25403/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA213 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, cruise - normal - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause) - communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Midair collision, cruise - normal - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - communications - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - radar assistance to vfr aircraft - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) AN USAF T-38 AIRCRAFT AND A CESSNA 206 AIRCRAFT COLLIDED IN MID-AIR DURING VISUAL FLIGHT OPERATIONS IN A MILITARY OPERATIONS AREA. RADAR DATA REVEALED THAT THE OVERTAKING T-38 COLLIDED WITH THE CESSNA 206 FROM THE RIGHT. THE CESSNA WAS ON A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT TERRAIN PHOTO MISSION AND HAD ALMOST COMPLETED A LEFT 360 DEGREE TURN. THE T-38 WAS TRANSITING THE MOA IN CONNECTION WITH A MILITARY MISSION. BOTH AIRCRAFT WERE OPERATING UNDER VFR AND WERE NOT IN CONTACTWITH THE MOA CONTROLLERS. NEITHER PILOT WAS REQUIRED TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN POSITIVE RADIO OR RADAR CONTACT WITH THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA. HOWEVER, THE AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL STATES 'PILOTS OPERATINGUNDER VFR SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHILE FLYING WITHIN A MOA... PRIOR TO ENTERING AN ACTIVE MOA, PILOTS SHOULD CONTACT THE CONTROLLING AGENCY FOR TRAFFIC ADVISORIES.' RADAR AND RADIO ASSISTANCE WAS AVAILABLE TO EITHER PILOT. THE T-38 WAS USING A TRANSPONDER WITH MODE C READOUT. THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 8,700 FEET MSL. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N2520X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2520X-1989-07-25), registration cancelled 1989-07-25, S/N P2060020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA P206 - Registry model: [Cessna P206](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-p206) (registry code 2073304) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 0020 - Airframe hours: 6380 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A5 285 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Pacific Aerographics - Registered owner: Pacific Aerographics - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 4, 1987, 252 hours before - Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA - Flight plan: Company VFR ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: USAF (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: NORTHROP T-38A - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 62-3639 - Airframe hours: 9512 - Engines: GE J-85-5H 2900 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Armed forces - Operator: Usaf, doing business as 6510 Test Wing - Registered owner: U.S. Air Force - Departed: EDW, EDWARDS AFB, CA - Flight plan: Military VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N2520X; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,071 total, 1,515 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days - Pilot, aircraft 2; age 32; commercial, military; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,246 total, 170 in this make and model, 2,074 as pilot in command, 66 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 5 knots - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: WJF, 23 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 19870522015472A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870522015472A), May 22, 1987: Cessna P206, Tehachapi, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. During photo survey was overtaken and struck by a military jet trainer. Both fell in pieces. On ATC radar but NORDO 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.