# NTSB LAX89LA102: Cessna 172P, N98564, Santa Ynez, CA, February 4, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1989, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ynez, CA
- Coordinates: 34.639511, -120.019027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6395&lon=-120.0190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA102
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA102

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING OR TO OBTAIN INFLIGHT WEATHER ADVISORY INFORMATION, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED WHILE DESCENDING IN A DOWNDRAFT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight weather advisories - not used, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, IN IMC, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO DESCEND AT 2000 FPM. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STALLED, THEN PUSHED FORWARD ON THE YOKE TO REGAIN AIRSPEED. THE PILOT REPEATED THIS PROCEDURE THREE TIMES WITH THE AIRPLANE STILL DESCENDING IN AN ATTEMPT TO FLY OUT OF THE DOWNDRAFT CONDITION. DURING THE FOURTH ATTEMPT, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A SPIN. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL APRX 200 FT AGL. AT THIS TIME THE PILOT COULD SEE THE GROUND AND INITIATED A FORCED LANDING. DURING THE LANDING ROLL IN AN OPEN FIELD, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH ROUGH TERRAIN. THE PILOT HAD OBTAINED A LIMITED WEATHER BRIEFING FROM THE AUTOMATED WEATHER ANSWERING SERVICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98564](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98564-1991-01-29), registration cancelled 1991-01-29, S/N 17276310 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17276310
- Airframe hours: 1651
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Southwest Skyways, Inc.
- Registered owner: Air Torrance Partnership 2
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 2, 1988
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 936 total, 85 in this make and model, 752 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 50 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 50 °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 19890204002079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890204002079A), Feb 4, 1989: Cessna 172P, Santa Ynez, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled and went into a spin trying to escape a severe downdraft. Recovered at 200 ft and crashed on rough ground.

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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