# NTSB LAX88FA240: Cessna 172P, N51234, Descanso, CA, June 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1988, 19:42 local (Jun 30, 1988, 02:42 UTC)
- Place: Descanso, CA
- Location: 32.8696° N, 116.6279° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Descanso, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8696&lon=-116.6279&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25840
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88FA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25840/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88FA240

## Probable cause

PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT AND INTENTIONAL DECISION TO LOW FLY THE AIRCRAFT BELOW THE MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

NUMEROUS WITNESSES OBSERVED THE LOW FLYING ACFT AT ALTITUDES FROM 50 TO 300 FT AGL. THE ACFT WAS DESCRIBED BY SOME WITNESSES AS 'TERRAIN FLYING' AS IT PROCEEDED AT LOW ALTITUDES OVER THE ROLLING HILLS & ROADWAYS. THE JOY RIDING FLIGHT ENDED WHEN, AT 100 FT AGL, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES. THE ACFT ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT, CRASHED & BURNED ON INTERSTATE FREEWAY 8.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51234](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51234-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 17274285 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17274285
- Airframe hours: 3104
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Funbirds Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Olan Morton & Eltn Horn
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 19, 1988, 82 hours before
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 164 total, 28 in this make and model, 104 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19880629024149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880629024149A), Jun 29, 1988: Cessna 172P, Descanso, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Observed flying low and buzzing area prior to colliding with powerlines over a freeway. Crashed and burned.

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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