# NTSB LAX88FA162: Cessna 210L, N29111, Maricopa, CA, April 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1988, 01:52 local (08:52 UTC)
- Place: Maricopa, CA
- Coordinates: 34.839614, -119.269165 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8396&lon=-119.2692&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25826
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25826/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA162

## Probable cause

AIRCRAFT INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT'S DESTINATION WAS LOCATED AT AN ELEVATION OF 378 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL AND ABOUT 77 NAUTICAL MILES EAST OF THE ACCIDENT LOCATION. THE CEILING AT HIS DESTINATION WAS REPORTED AT 5,500 FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. HE DID NOT OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKEOFF FOR THE NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, TO HIS DESTINATION. ENROUTE THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TREES WHILE IN A LEVEL FLIGHT ATTITUDE, ON A FOG SHROUDED MOUNTAIN RIDGE, AT AN ELEVATION OF 5,500 FEET MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29111](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29111-1991-02-05), registration cancelled 1991-02-05, S/N 21059804 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210L
- Registry model: [Cessna 210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210l) (registry code 2073448) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 21059804
- Airframe hours: 348
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-L 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James C Francis Contractor Inc
- Registered owner: James G Francis Const. Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 9, 1987, 198 hours before
- Departed: LOC, LOMPOC, CA
- Destination: L45, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 290 total, 101 in this make and model, 224 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 34 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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