# NTSB LAX89FA334: Cessna 152, N6422M, Lancaster, CA, September 30, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1989, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.720523, -118.149459 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7205&lon=-118.1495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26255
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89FA334
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26255/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89FA334

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ENTER INTO IMC WHILE FLYING UNDER VFR. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILINGS, POOR PLANNING AND DECISIONS, FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING AND NOT PERFORMING A WEATHER EVALUATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF FOR A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT TO CONDUCT A VOR RECEIVER CHECK. HIS CHECK POINT WAS OVER THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE. THE FLIGHT FAILED TO RETURN AND WAS REPORTED MISSING SIX HOURS AFTER ITS TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND EIGHTEEN HOURS LATER, IMPACTED IN THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. WEATHER REPORTS FOR THE TIME FRAME OF THE ACCIDENT NOTED THAT THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6422M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6422M-1989-11-14), registration cancelled 1989-11-14, S/N 15284721 (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: 15284721
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: West Coast Air Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: WJF

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,495 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 18 knots
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: WJF, 18 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 19890930037159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890930037159A), Sep 30, 1989: Cessna 152, Lancaster, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted canyon wall. Mountain obscurment existed.

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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