# NTSB LAX87LA352: Cessna 180K, N66039, Lakeport, CA, November 23, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1986
- Place: Lakeport, CA
- Coordinates: 39.04029, -122.930892 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0403&lon=-122.9309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25702
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA352
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25702/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA352

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, other

## Analysis

THE PLT & HIS DAUGHTER WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE DEPD HIS PVT AIRSTRIP ON 11/22/86 OR 11/23/86. THEY WERE RPRTD MISSING ON 11/24/86 & A SEARCH WAS BEGUN, BUT THE ACFT WAS NOT FND UNTIL 8/19/88, WHEN THE WRECKAGE WAS DISCOVERED BY HUNTERS. THE CRASH SITE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 10 MI NORTH OF THE PLT'S AIRSTRIP. AN EXAM REVEALED THE ACFT WAS TRAVELING ON A NORTH- WESTERLY HEADING WHEN IT STRUCK A TREE NEAR THE TOP OF A RIDGE. THE ACFT THEN CRASHED TO THE GROUND & CAME TO REST AGAINST A TREE ON THE RIDGE. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY IMPACT & FIRE. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND DURING AN EXAM OF THE BADLY BURNED WRECKAGE. THE ACDNT OCCURRED ON HILLY/MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT AN ELEV OF ABOUT 1800'. AT THE APRX DATE OF THE ACDNT, THE WX WAS GENERALLY VFR. ABOUT 9 MI WEST AT UKIAH, CA, THERE WAS EARLY MORNING FOG & CEILINGS OF 2000' TO 3000' ON 11/22/86, WHICH CHANGED TO SCATTERED CLOUDS IN THE AFTERNOON. ON 11/23/86, NO CLD LAYERS WERE RPRTD BEL0W 20,000'. THE PLT WAS RPRTD TO BE DESPONDENT OVR SEPN FM HIS WIFE, 2 WKS BFR THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66039](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66039-2013-02-13), registration cancelled 2013-02-13, S/N 18052910, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 180K
- Registry model: [Cessna 180K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-180k) (registry code 2072624) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 180-52910
- Airframe hours: 450
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dashiell, Richard A.
- Registered owner: Custom Equipment Company, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HOPLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 900 total, 50 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: UKI, 9 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 19861123087439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861123087439A), Nov 23, 1986: Cessna 180K, Lakeport, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Missing aircraft found crashed in trees two years later. No mechanical problems.

## Other investigations on N66039 (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 LAX84LA496](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA496), Sep 24, 1984: Cessna 180K (N66039), Salinas, CA, 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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