# NTSB LAX90LA097: Cessna 182P, N1510M, Santa Ysabel, CA, February 19, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 18, 1990, 21:00 local (Feb 19, 1990, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ysabel, CA
- Coordinates: 33.179027, -116.730049 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1790&lon=-116.7300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26739
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA097
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26739/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA097

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO CONDUCT VISUAL FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. LOW CEILINGS AND MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER RECEIVING NUMEROUS WEATHER BRIEFINGS THAT RECOMMENDED VISUAL FLIGHT NOT BE CONDUCTED ALONG HIS PROPOSED FLIGHT ROUTE OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE PILOT FILED HIS FLIGHT PLAN UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) AND TOOKOFF INTO THE NIGHT. WHEN THE AIRCRAFT FAILED TO ARRIVE AT ITS DESTINATION, A SEARCH WAS INITIATED. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND ON A MOUNTAIN AT THE 3,300 FOOT LEVEL, APPROXIMATELY 11 HOURS AFTER THE TAKEOFF AND 15 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1510M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1510M-2015-05-08), registration cancelled 2015-05-08, S/N 18264358, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264358
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jeffery F. Palmer
- Departed: L08, BORREGO SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 150 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: CRQ, 38 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 19900218002289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900218002289A), Feb 18, 1990: Cessna 182P, Santa Ysabel, CA, Destroyed. Flew inside of a cloud-obscured hill at night. Was advised numerous times VFR not recommended. Proceeded anyway.

## Other investigations on N1510M (1)

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.

- [NTSB OAK78DVM36](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK78DVM36), Aug 2, 1978: Cessna 182 (N1510M), Salinas, CA, substantial damage

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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