# NTSB LAX89FA319: Cessna 310K, N6958L, Ojai, CA, September 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1989, 12:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Ojai, CA
- Coordinates: 34.509719, -119.289939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5097&lon=-119.2899&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA319
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA319

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO PROVIDE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND THE SECOND PILOT'S POSSIBLE REDUCED VISION DUE TO HIS VISION PROBLEM AND MEDICATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(visual deficiency), copilot/second pilot (contributing factor)

## Analysis

PRIOR TO DEPARTURE THE PILOT RECEIVED AN ABBREVIATED WX BRIEFING IN PERSON FROM THE RENO FSS, AND WAS GIVEN THE ADVERSE WX CONDITIONS & CURRENT WX FOR HIS PLANNED ROUTE OF FLIGHT. HE WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE AIRPLANE WAS LATER OBSERVED FLYING OVER A HIGHWAY AT LOW ALTITUDE; WHICH THE WITNESSES DEFINED AS NOT HIGH ENOUGH TO CLEAR A MOUNTAIN RIDGE. THE TOP OF THE RIDGE LINE WAS OBSCURED, & THE AIRPLANE WAS IN & OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE CLOUDS. THERE WERE ALSO RAINSHOWERS IN THE AREA. THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT ALSO HELD AN ATP CERTIFICATE. HE WAS BEING TREATED FOR GLAUCOMA & WAS TAKING THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ISOPTO CARPINE (PILOCARPINE). THE DANGER OF ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG INCREASES WITH THE USE OF ALCOHOL. THESE EFFECTS INCLUDE REDUCED VISUAL ACUITY. THE RIGHT SEAT PILOT WAS WITH A GROUP THAT REPORTED HAD A FEW COCKTAILS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6958L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6958L-1990-08-13), registration cancelled 1990-08-13, S/N 310K0058 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 310K
- Registry model: [Cessna 310K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-310k) (registry code 2074228) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 310K0058
- Airframe hours: 3950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470V 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Amair Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 10, 1989, 130 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: TOR, TORRANCE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 23,950 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken

## 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 19890919035919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890919035919A), Sep 19, 1989: Cessna 310K, Ojai, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees on mountainside,following highway under low clouds,fog,and rain. VFR not advised. Mountains obscured.

## Other investigations on N6958L (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 MIA82DA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82DA063), Mar 5, 1982: Cessna 310K (N6958L), Key West, FL, 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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