# NTSB LAX89FA181: Cessna 152, N6301M, Port San Luis, CA, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1989, 20:15 local (May 6, 1989, 03:15 UTC)
- Place: Port San Luis, CA
- Coordinates: 35.250999, -120.620895 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2510&lon=-120.6209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26225
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA181
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26225/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA181

## Probable cause

PILOT FAILED TO EXECUTE A 180 DEGREE TURN AND INADVERTENTLY ENTERED INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr procedures - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction

## Analysis

THE PILOT DEPARTED SAN LUIS OBISPO AIRPORT ON A PLANNED FLIGHT TO SANTA BARBARA. THE WX WAS VFR AT SBP BUT THERE WAS FOGAROUND THE COASTAL AREA. ABT 9 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTING SBP GROUND WITNESSES HEARD THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE AND THE ENGINE SOUND ABRUPTLY STOPPED. THE PORT SAN LUIS HARBOR PATROL OFFICER THEN HEARD AN ELT TRANSMITTER SIGNAL AND INITIATED A SEARCH. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ABOUT 4 HOURS AFTER THE SEARCH WAS INITIATED. GROUND SCARS AND THE WRECKAGE EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE UPWARD SLOPING TERRAIN IN A WINGS & NOSE LEVEL ATTITUDE. THE EXAMINATION FURTHER DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY AIRPLANE COMPONENT MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6301M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6301M-1989-08-28), registration cancelled 1989-08-28, S/N 15284662 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284662
- Airframe hours: 4776
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cal-Coast Flyers, Inc.
- Registered owner: Zeman, Ronald
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 3, 1988, 34 hours before
- Departed: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA
- Airport: SBP, San Luis Obispo

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 87 total, 87 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F

## 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 19890505010879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890505010879A), May 5, 1989: Cessna 152, San Luis Obispo, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into fog bank after departure from airport. Crashed into mountain. Pilot had history of petit mal seizures.

## Other investigations on N6301M (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 LAX83LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA317), Jul 3, 1983: Cessna 152 (N6301M), Sunnyvale, CA, 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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