# NTSB LAX89FA069: Cessna T210L, N94210, Norco, CA, December 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 24, 1988, 13:13 local (21:13 UTC)
- Place: Norco, CA
- Location: 33.9255° N, 117.5520° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Norco, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9255&lon=-117.5520&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): 26196
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA069
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26196/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA069

## Probable cause

ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AND WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE ENSUING DESCENDING SPIRALING TURN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - spiral - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT RECEIVED A TELEPHONIC IFR CLEARANCE FROM CHINO TOWER. THE PILOT DEPARTED CORONA AND CONTACTED THE ONTARIO TRACON DEPARTURE CONTROLLER. THE CONTROLLER INSTRUCTED THE PILOT TO RESET HIS TRANSPONDER AND THE PILOT COMPLIED, BUT FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS. THE AIRPLANE CRASHED ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER. THE RECORDED RADAR DATA REVEALED THE AIRPLANE WAS IN A CLIMBING RIGHT TURN, REACHING A MAXIMUM ALTITUDE OF 1,500 FT MSL (1,000 FT AGL) WHEN THE PLT INITIALLY CALLED ONTARIO TRACON. AFTER REACHING 1,500 FT THE AIRPLANE'S RATE OF TURN INCREASED AND IT BEGAN DESCENDING RAPIDLY. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN IN A 10 DEGREE NOSE LOW, 30 DEGREE RIGHT BANK ATTITUDE. THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE ANY PREIMPACT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N94210](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N94210-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 21060541 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210L
- Registry model: [Cessna T210L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210l) (registry code 2073449) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51060541
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-H 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thrasher, Daniel R.
- Registered owner: Thrasher, Daniel R
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: RAL, RIVERSIDE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: L66, Corona, runway 25, 3,200 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,710 total, 334 in this make and model, 1,651 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast

## 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 19881224056289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881224056289A), Dec 24, 1988: Cessna T210L, Corona, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control after takeoff on an inter tower IFR flight. Low clouds fog and rain in area. No record weather briefing

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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