# NTSB LAX89FA241: Cessna 177, N30039, Hesperia, CA, July 21, 1989 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 20, 1989, 21:09 local (Jul 21, 1989, 04:09 UTC) - Place: Hesperia, CA - Coordinates: 34.359848, -117.319679 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3598&lon=-117.3197&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal, 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1992 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 26236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA241 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26236/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA241 ## Probable cause AN INFLIGHT COLLISION WITH A POWER LINE WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW ALTITUDE SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE ON A DARK NIGHT OVER AN AREA WITH FEW GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS. THE REASONS FOR THE AIRCRAFT'S FLIGHT PATH AND ALTITUDE PROFILE ARE UNDETERMINED. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE APPARENT DISAGREEMENT WHICH OCCURRED BETWEEN THE TWO PILOTS DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT SEQUENCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, maneuvering - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - object - wire,transmission - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor) - control interference - inadvertent (contributing factor) - disturbance - inadvertent (contributing factor) - interpersonal relations, pilot in command ## Analysis WITNESSES SAID THAT AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRCRAFT FLEW A CURVING RIGHT HAND FLIGHT PATH AT LOW ALTITUDE BACK TOWARD THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY USED FOR DEPARTURE. AT A POINT CORRESPONDING TO A MODIFIED AND EXTENDED RIGHT BASE LEG FOR THE RUNWAY, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A HIGH TENSION POWER LINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 32 FT AGL. AT THE TIME OF WIRE CONTACT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING PARALLEL WITH THE POWER LINE. A POST CRASH FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRCRAFT. EXTENSIVE EXAMINATION OF THE SURVIVING WRECKAGE COMPONENTS REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AUTOMOTIVE FUEL OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN OR QUALITY WAS PROBABLY BEING USED IN THE AIRCRAFT WITHOUT AN APPROVED STC. ACCORDING TO A SECOND HAND ACCOUNT FROM THE SURVIVING CHILD PASSENGER, THE TWO PILOTS BEGAN 'FIGHTING OVER THE CONTROLS' AFTER TAKEOFF, WITH ONE PILOT REPORTEDLY TELLING THE OTHER THAT 'HE TURNED THE WRONG WAY.' THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A DARK NIGHT OVER AN AREA WITH NO GROUND REFERENCE LIGHTS. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30039](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30039-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 17701042, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 177 - Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17701042 - Airframe hours: 1520 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Rene G. Munsey - Registered owner: Billy R. Fuqua - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1989, 30 hours before - Departed: L26 - Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA - Airport: L26, Hesperia, runway 21, 3,910 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,000 total, 10 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 290° at 2 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: VCV, 13 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 19890720024169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890720024169A), Jul 20, 1989: Cessna 177, Hesperia, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck powerline during turn back to airport on climbout. Passenger reported pilot and pilot passenger on controls. ## Other investigations on N30039 (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 SEA75DYI23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA75DYI23), May 6, 1975: Cessna 177 (N30039), Cottage Grove, OR, 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.