# NTSB LAX88FA101: Cessna U206F, N60566, Lk Havasu City, AZ, February 2, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 2, 1988, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Lk Havasu City, AZ
- Location: 34.4839° N, 114.3225° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lake Havasu City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4839&lon=-114.3225&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25807
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA101
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25807/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA101

## Probable cause

PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT IN FORECAST MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN AN AVIATION WEATHER BRIEFING AND HIS LACK OF RECURRENT TRAINING.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60566](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60566-2013-04-22), registration cancelled 2013-04-22, S/N U20602033, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: U20602033
- Airframe hours: 4261
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Braun, Ernest
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 1987, 185 hours before
- Departed: RYN, RYAN, AZ
- Destination: LHW, LK HAVASU CITY, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 878 total, 822 in this make and model, 822 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 8 knots
- Temperature: 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LHU, 13 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 19880202002669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880202002669A), Feb 2, 1988: Cessna U206F, Lake Havasu Cit, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into a cloud obscured mountainside in level flight. No record of weather briefing. Highest terrain in area.

## Other investigations on N60566 (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 LAX78FA010](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX78FA010), Nov 28, 1977: Cessna U206F (N60566), Camp Verde, AZ, destroyed

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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