# NTSB LAX90LA078: Cessna 172, N12528, Inyokern, CA, January 27, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 27, 1990, 12:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.87955, -118.149559 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8796&lon=-118.1496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26727
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26727/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA078

## Probable cause

IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION BY THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC), AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED WHILE MANEUVERING, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT STALL/MUSH.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE FLT WAS ENGAGED IN A BALLOON POPPING CONTEST.  AN APCH WAS MADE TO THE CONTEST AREA AT ABOUT 200' AGL, WITH SLOW AIRSPEED & THE FLAPS EXTENDED.  THE PLT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) SAW A BALLOON TO HIS LEFT & MANEUVERED TO CHASE THE BALLOON.  WHILE MANEUVERING, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE & THE PIC WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE DESCENT BEFORE GROUND CONTACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12528](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12528-1990-09-11), registration cancelled 1990-09-11, S/N 17262043 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17262043
- Airframe hours: 1110
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Floyd A. Kinder
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 15, 1989, 70 hours before
- Departed: IYK
- Destination: IYK
- Airport: IYK, Inyokern, runway 33, 7,344 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 142 total, 76 in this make and model, 107 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19900127001169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900127001169A), Jan 27, 1990: Cessna 172M, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed while chasing a balloon at low altitude in balloon bursting contest. Both pilots on controls.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.