# NTSB LAX88FA020: Cessna 208A, N828FE, Fairfield, CA, October 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 23, 1987, 04:23 local (11:23 UTC)
- Place: Fairfield, CA
- Coordinates: 38.190334, -121.930313 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1903&lon=-121.9303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25784
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25784/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA020

## Probable cause

PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH SEVERE TURBULENCE WHICH PRECIPITATED A LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather radar - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, company/operator management (contributing factor)
  - inadequate initial training, faa(principal operations inspector) (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - spiral - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fatigue(lack of sleep), pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE CRUISING ON A SCHEDULED CARGO FLIGHT IN IMC THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE NEAR AN AREA WHERE WEATHER CELLS COULD HAVE BEEN OBSERVED ON THE AIRCRAFT'S RADAR. THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE, DECLARED AN EMERGENCY AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AND WAS DESTROYED.THE RECENTLY HIRED PILOT HAD COMPLETED THE FAA APPROVED GROUND AND FLIGHT TRAINING PROGRAM IN THE AIRCRAFT. DURING THE PILOT'S RECENT TRAINING, NEITHER THE FAA NOR THE OPERATOR REQUIRED THE PILOT TO DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN UNUSUAL ATTITUDE RECOVERIES OR HAVE KNOWLEDGE IN THE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT'S WEATHER RADAR. COMPANY EMPLOYEES, WHICH INCLUDED THE PILOT'S HUSBAND, STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH WEATHER RADAR AND DID NOT UNDERSTANDTHE WEATHER RADAR INSTALLED IN THIS AIRCRAFT. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT THE PILOT APPEARED TO BE TIRED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N828FE](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N828FE-1990-06-07), registration cancelled 1990-06-07, S/N 20800073 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 208A
- Registry model: [Cessna 208A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208a) (registry code 2073703) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20800073
- Airframe hours: 1721
- Engines: P&W PT6A-114 600 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Union Flights
- Registered owner: Federal Express Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, October 12, 1987, 19 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Destination: RNO, RENO, NV
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 10,495 total, 642 in this make and model, 10,291 as pilot in command, 156 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SUU, 4 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 19871023060669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871023060669A), Oct 23, 1987: Cessna 208A, Fairfield, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Called mayday, lost control in area of thunderstorms and severe turbulence. Spiral dived to high speed impact.

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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