# NTSB LAX89FA058: Cessna 182R, N5545N, Gorman, CA, November 25, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1988, 15:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Gorman, CA
- Coordinates: 34.859928, -118.869895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8599&lon=-118.8699&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26194
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA058
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26194/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA058

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INTO AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. THE EXISTENCE OF A MOUNTAIN WAVE ALONG THE AIRCRAFT'S FLIGHT ROUTE, THE FAILURE OF THE CREW TO EVALUATE REPORTED WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE FLIGHT ROUTE, THE CREWS ATTEMPT TO FLY INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE OVER CONFIDENCE OF THE CREW IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ABILITY WERE FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - mountain wave (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING A FULL WEATHER BRIEFING THAT REPORTED STANDING LENTICULAR CLOUDS AND GUSTY SURFACE WINDS ALONG THE PROPOSED FLIGHT ROUTE, THE INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT AND AN INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOKOFF ON A PERSONAL INSTRUMENT FLIGHT OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. AS THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN ITS DESCENT FOR LANDING THE CREW REPORTED THEY HAD ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT WERE LOST, THE AIRCRAFT'S RADAR TARGET DISAPPEARED AND AN ELT RADIO SIGNALS WERE DETECTED. GROUND SEARCH PARTIES INITIATED A SEARCH AND THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED TEN HOURS LATER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5545N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5545N-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N 18267783, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267783
- Airframe hours: 1230
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jean R. Paquette
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1988, 118 hours before
- Departed: CNO, CHINO, CA
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 808 total, 163 in this make and model, 576 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFL, 36 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 19881125052219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881125052219A), Nov 25, 1988: Cessna 182R, Gorman, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into known turbulence and icing. Descended into severe turbulence and icing. Lost control. Crashed.

## Other investigations on N5545N (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 SEA85LA202](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA202), Aug 26, 1985: Cessna 182R (N5545N), Reno, NV, substantial damage

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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