# NTSB LAX89FA021: Cessna TR-182, N739YS, Paso Robles, CA, October 19, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1988, 08:12 local (15:12 UTC)
- Place: Paso Robles, CA
- Coordinates: 35.609764, -120.759765 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6098&lon=-120.7598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA021

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE PROPER ALTITUDE WHILE EXECUTING THE PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH PROCEDURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - iaf to faf/outer marker (ifr)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - below approach/landing minimums (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - missed approach - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT DEPARTED VFR AND WHILE EN ROUTE ENCOUNTED IMC NEAR THE DESTINATION. THE PLT REQUESTED AN IFR CLEARANCE FOR A VOR-DME APCH. THE PLT WAS INFORMED BY ATC TO EXPECT A DELAY DUE TO ANOTHER ACFT EXECUTING THE MISSED APCH. THE PLT WAS ISSUED THE WX AS INDEFINATE 200 OBS, VIS 1/4 MILE. ONE MILE VIS WAS REQUIRED FOR A STRAIGHT-IN LANDING. THE PLT ACCEPTED THE APCH CLEARANCE AND STARTED A DESCENT. THE ACFT DESCENDED 1,200 BELOW THE APCH PROFILE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE TERRAIN AND WAS KNOWLEDGEABLE OF RANCH AIRSTRIPS WHERE HE HAD LANDED PREVIOUS TO THIS FLT TO WAIT OUT THE WX AT THE SAME DESTINATION ARPT. THE COURSE BEING FLOWN BY THE PLT WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM DIRECT TO ONE OF THESE RANCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N739YS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N739YS-2013-05-07), registration cancelled 2013-05-07, S/N R18201017, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR-182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R 182 01017
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patroline, Inc.
- Registered owner: Robert H. Miller
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1988, 52 hours before
- Departed: VIS, VISALIA, CA
- Destination: PRB, PASO ROBLES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 17,900 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PRB, 8 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 19881019046629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881019046629A), Oct 19, 1988: Cessna TR182, Paso Robles, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became too low on VOR DME approach and struck trees on a fog obscured ridge inbound from DME fix. Currency unknown

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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