# NTSB LAX90FA281: Cessna 172E, N39155, Santa Paula, CA, April 8, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 8, 1990, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Santa Paula, CA
- Coordinates: 34.400436, -119.070907 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4004&lon=-119.0709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26649
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26649/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA281

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION AND HIS DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION IN EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE TURN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## 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 - clouds
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE SANTA PAULA, CA AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. BROKEN CLOUDS WITH THE BASES AT 4,000 FT MSL AND TOPS BETWEEN 7,000 FT AND 8,000 FT MSL EXITED OVER THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT FLEW NORTH-NORTHEAST,. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO REACH ITS DESTINATION AND AN AIR SEARCH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND ON AUGUST 10, 1990. THE WRECKAGE EXAM DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE 4,100 FT LEVEL OF A 4,200 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNING LEFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME/ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N39155 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172E
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17251115
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Henry & Jacquelyn A. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, unknown; flight hours: 91 total, 91 in this make and model, 65 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken

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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