# NTSB LAX88FA045: Cessna 441, N2484B, Mexicali, Mexico, November 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 15, 1987, 18:15 local (Nov 16, 1987, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Mexicali, Mexico
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25790
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25790/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - excessive workload (task overload), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - visual/aural detection, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - lack of recent instrument time, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 441 OPERATED BY THE USCS COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE ON A AUTHORIZED NIGHT TACTICAL FLIGHT. THE COPILOT DID NOT MEET THE CURRENCY STANDARDS AS REQUIRED BY USCS AND WAS NOT QUALIFIED IN THE ACFT. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS AND CONTINUED TO ASTRONOMICAL TWILIGHT. THE PILOTS DID NOT DARK ADAPT PREVIOUS TO THE NIGHT CONDITIONS. DARK ADAPTION WAS IMPEDED BY FLIGHT THROUGH VARIOUS LIGHT CONDITIONS CREATED BY TERRAIN AND AMBIENT LIGHT LEVELS. WITH NIGHT VISION IMPEDED THE PILOT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DINSTINGUISH RELIEF OF THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A SMALL RIDGE THAT ABRUPTLY ROSE 300 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2484B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 441
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 441-0112
- Airframe hours: 1461
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-8-4025 635 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Public aircraft, Part 91
- Registered owner: U. S. Customs Service
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, November 5, 1987, 7 hours before
- Departed: NZY, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,000 total, 68 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 190° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 18 nm away

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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