# NTSB LAX90LA271: Cessna R172K, N758UV, Lone Pine, CA, January 14, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 13, 1990, 17:10 local (Jan 14, 1990, 01:10 UTC)
- Place: Lone Pine, CA
- Coordinates: 36.559017, -118.049011 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5590&lon=-118.0490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26878
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26878/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA271

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DECISION TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. FACTORS TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS, MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, AND THE LIKELY EFFECT OF HYPOXIA ON THE PILOT.

## 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 - snow (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - physical impairment(anoxia/hypoxia), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A WX BRIEFING THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. WHILE ENROUTE TO COLUMBIA THE PILOT CALLED ATC REQUESTING WX INFO. THE CONTROLLER OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE ENTERING POSITIVE CONTROL AIRSPACE AND TOLD THE PLT TO REMAIN BELOW 18,000 FT. THE PLT TOLD THE CONTROLLER THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLIMB ABOVE FL 180 TO REMAIN VFR. THE CONTROLLER ADVSD THE PLT TO CONTACT EDWARDS RAPCON IF HE REQUESTED ANY IFR ASSISTANCE. THE AIRPLANE'S MODE C TRANSPONDER WAS TRACKED FOR OVER AN HOUR BETWEEN FL 196 AND 14,300 FEET. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PLT. RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST AT 1709 - ABT 1 HOUR 9 MIN AFTER INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE PLT. THE ACFT WAS FOUND IN A MOUNTAINOUS AREA 7 MONTHS LATER AT 11,300 FT MSL. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN. FORECASTED WX INDICATED MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WITH A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HIGHER ELEVATIONS WITH POSSIBLE ACCUMULATIONS OF 2-3 FT OF SNOW, WINDS GUSTING TO 50 MPH AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N758UV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N758UV-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N R1723379, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA R172K
- Registry model: [Cessna R172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-r172k) (registry code 2072431) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R1723379
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-K 195 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jerry D. Teel
- Departed: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Destination: 022, COLUMBIA, CA
- Airport: 026, Lone Pine

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 540 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900113002139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900113002139A), Jan 13, 1990: Cessna R172K, Lone Pine, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Ignored vnr advice. Tried to stay on top above FL180. No oxygen. Collided with mountain.

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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