# NTSB LAX89FA182: Cessna 172, N6129E, Industry, CA, May 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 6, 1989, 02:46 local (09:46 UTC)
- Place: Industry, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000221, -118.029663 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0002&lon=-118.0297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA182

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO ENSURE OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, LOW CEILING, FOG, AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - electrical tower
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A CESSNA 172 COLLIDED WITH THE STATIC ARM OF A 150 FOOT TALL TOWER USED TO SUPPORT POWER TRANSMISSION CABLES. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TRAVELING WESTBOUND PARALLELING A HWY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN AND DESCENDING. THE WEATHER WAS DESCRIBED AS FOGGY WITH AT LEAST 1 MILE VISIBILITY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED TO TURN LEFT ABRUPTLY AS IT STRUCK THE TOWER. THE CABLES AND SUPPORT TOWERS WERE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART AND THE VFR TERMINAL AREA CHART.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6129E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6129E-1989-08-16), registration cancelled 1989-08-16, S/N 46229 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172) (registry code 2072402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 46229
- Airframe hours: 1994
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Orville T. Stoll
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 21, 1989, 19 hours before
- Departed: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 254 total, 19 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,000 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 19890506010869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890506010869A), May 6, 1989: Cessna 172, Industry, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck a power transmission tower support arm while following freeway low altitude in dense fog. Crashed on freeway

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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