# NTSB LAX89FA042: Cessna 172N, N6256F, Fremont, CA, November 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1988, 00:58 local (08:58 UTC)
- Place: Fremont, CA
- Coordinates: 37.500846, -121.95964 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5008&lon=-121.9596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 26, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26191
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26191/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA042

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate certification/approval,airman, faa(organization)
  - inadeq method of compliance determination rcrdkpng, faa(organization)
  - anxiety/apprehension, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PLT REPORTEDLY WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED ABOUT HIS EMPLOYMENT & PERSONAL LIFE SITUATION. HE LOVED FLYING & FLEW TO RELEASE ANXIETY. NEAR MIDNIGHT THE PLT DEPARTED FOR A SHORT X-C FLIGHT DURING WHICH HE BECAME DISORIENTED. THE PLT REQUESTED & RECEIVED RADAR VECTORS BACK TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. CONTROLLERS SAID THAT THE PILOT SOUNDED IRRATIONAL AND THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FAIL TO HOLD HEADING & ALTITUDE. THE ACFT ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, COMING TO REST IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSEDOWN PITCH ATTITUDE. ON THE PILOT'S APPLICATION FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HE HAD DENIED ANY RECORD OF TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME OF HIS APLICATION HE WAS ON PROBATION & HAD A HISTORY OF CONVICTIONS FOR DRUNK DRIVING. THE TOX REPORT INDICATED THAT THE PILOT'S VITREOUS FLUID ETHANOL LEVEL WAS 0.23 PERCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6256F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6256F-1991-01-28), registration cancelled 1991-01-28, S/N 17273174 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273174
- Airframe hours: 6127
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Squadron Two Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: Gary W. Niva
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1988
- Departed: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 130 total, 31 in this make and model, 78 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 12 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 19881117050749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881117050749A), Nov 17, 1988: Cessna 172N, Fremont, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot reported depressed. Exhibited errational flight operations. Spiraled into hillside. Had alcohol problems.

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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