# NTSB LAX89FA081: Cessna 414, N1672T, Pleasanton, CA, January 9, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 9, 1989, 11:24 local (19:24 UTC)
- Place: Pleasanton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.650295, -121.849494 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6503&lon=-121.8495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 10, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26200
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26200/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA081

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY FOLLOW THE IFR (INSTRUMENT FLIGHT RULES) PROCEDURES BY NOT MAINTAINING THE MINIMUM DESCENT ALTITUDE FOR THAT SEQMENT OF THE APPROACH.  THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WERE CONSIDERED TO BE RELATED FACTORS.

## 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)
  - ifr procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - minimum descent altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DRG ARRIVAL, THE PLT WAS CLRD FOR AN ILS RWY 27R APCH TO THE METRO OAKLAND INTL ARPT. AS SHE BEGAN THE APCH, THE ATC CTLR NOTED THE ACFT HAD DSCNDD THRU 2900 FT MSL. HE PROVIDED A LOW ALT ALERT TO THE PLT & WARNED HER THE ACFT SHOULD BE AT 3300 FT. THE PLT ACKNOWLEDGED BY SAYING 'THANK YOU.' THE ATC CTLR SUGGESTED THE PLT CLIMB TO 3300 FT IMMEDIATELY,THEN HE CANCELED THE CLNC & TOLD THE PLT TO CLIMB IMMEDIATELY TO 3300 FT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CRASHED APRX 15 MI EAST OF THE ARPT. IMPACT OCCURRED WITH A 1500 FT RIDGE AT ABOUT THE 1000 FT LEVEL. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1672T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1672T-2012-08-10), registration cancelled 2012-08-10, S/N 414-0465, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 414
- Registry model: [Cessna 414](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-414) (registry code 2075908) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0465
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gellman, Barbara Lorraine
- Registered owner: Vip Properties Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: OAK, Oakland Int'L, runway 27R, 5,453 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 471 total, 149 in this make and model, 361 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 15 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 19890109000339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890109000339A), Jan 9, 1989: Cessna 414, Oakland, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into a ridge on ILS approach. Was given low altitude warning pilot lacked current IFR.

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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