# NTSB LAX89LA262: Cessna 172H, N2667L, Dana Point, CA, August 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1989, 11:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Dana Point, CA
- Coordinates: 33.469562, -117.699501 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4696&lon=-117.6995&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26466
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA262
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26466/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA262

## Probable cause

PILOT-IN-COMMANDS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE WHILE IN MANEUVERING FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft control - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE MAKING SLOW CIRCLES, COUNTER CLOCKWISE, WHEN THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED AND THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED. THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE THEN ROSE TO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB AND THE AIRPLANE 'SLOWLY LOOPED' OVER ONTO ITS BACK AND THEN DOVE NEAR VERTICALLY WHILE SLOWLY ROTATING 180 DEGREES AND STRIKING THE PACIFIC OCEAN NOSE FIRST. WITNESSES STATED THE ENGINE CONTINUED MAKING NOISE UNTIL THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE WATER. THE ACFT WAS AT APRX 500 FT AGL WHILE CIRCLING AND CLIMBED TO ABOUT 800 FT AGL BEFORE STALLING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2667L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2667L-2012-09-19), registration cancelled 2012-09-19, S/N 17255867, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172H
- Registry model: [Cessna 172H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172h) (registry code 2072424) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17255867
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Shirley, Joseph A., doing business as J. Shirley And Company
- Registered owner: Joseph A Shirley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SEE, EL CAJON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890806027279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890806027279A), Aug 6, 1989: Cessna 172H, Dana Point, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While fish spotting,aircraft was seen to nose down then up vertically onto its back. Spun into ocean and sank.

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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