# NTSB LAX90LA315: Cessna U206F, N51299, Las Vegas, NV, September 6, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1990, 20:00 local (Sep 6, 1990, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.159996, -115.430747 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1600&lon=-115.4307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26916
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA315
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26916/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA315

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S LOSS OF VISUAL REFERENCES DURING A NIGHT APPROACH AND HIS FAILURE TO DETECT AND CORRECT A DESCENT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE DARK NIGHT LIGHTING CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED ATP PILOT STATED WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 18, HE BECAME AWARE OF TRAFFIC LANDING ON RUNWAY 36. HE STARTED A GRADUAL TURN TO THE LEFT. AFTER THE AIRCRAFT PASSED HIM HE STARTED A TURN BACK TO THE RIGHT WHEN HIS AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND. THE PILOT STATED THAT IT WAS A DARK NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51299](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51299-1992-10-16), registration cancelled 1992-10-16, S/N U20601993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA U206F
- Registry model: [Cessna U206F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-u206f) (registry code 2073333) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 01993
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-F9 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Lake Mead Air, Inc.
- Destination: L15, HENDERSON, NV
- Airport: L15, Henderson, runway 18, 5,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 36,300 total, 1,520 in this make and model, 34,400 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 25 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19900905038199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900905038199A), Sep 5, 1990: Cessna U206F, Las Vegas, NV, Destroyed. Flew into ground while turning to avoid aircraft departing opposite direction.

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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