# NTSB LAX89FA093: Grumman AA5A, N26313, Lake View, CA, January 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1989, 00:20 local (08:20 UTC)
- Place: Lake View, CA
- Location: 33.8285° N, 117.1233° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeview, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8285&lon=-117.1233&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26207
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA093
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26207/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA093

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO A BOX CANYON.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A VFR FLIGHT TO WHITEMAN AIRPORT THE PILOT ELECTED TO FLY AROUND THE AIRPORT NORTH OF THE BURBANK ARSA AFTER PASSING WEST OF THE AIRPORT. THE AREA TO THE NORTH OF THE AIRPORT CONTAINS HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH WAS OBSCURED BY CLOUDS. THE PILOT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INTO A BOX CANYON AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN WHEN HE WAS EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE TURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26313](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26313-1989-05-10), registration cancelled 1989-05-10, S/N AA5A0528 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA5A
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5a) (registry code 3960106) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A-0528
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Merlin Thomas Glass, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: HMT, HEMET, CA
- Destination: WHP, PACOIMA, CA
- Airport: WHP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,600 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BUR, 8 nm away

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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