# NTSB LAX91FA012: Cessna 172M, N13670, Goleta, CA, October 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 21, 1990, 18:02 local (Oct 22, 1990, 01:02 UTC)
- Place: Goleta, CA
- Coordinates: 34.500419, -120.12017 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5004&lon=-120.1202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26960
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26960/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA012

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER GLIDEPATH WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS SUNGLARE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - guy wire
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS INSTRUCTED TO ENTER A LEFT BASE LEG IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND ON RWY 25, FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING SEPARATION FROM OTHER LANDING TRAFFIC. THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ADDITIONALLY INSTRUCTED THE PLT TO MAKE THE BASE LEG SQUARE. REVIEW OF THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH AS DEPICTED BY FAA DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATED AN APPROACH PATTERN SIMILAR TO A LONG FINAL APPROACH. WITNESSES ON THE GROUND ABOUT 1 1/2 MILES FROM THE AIRPORT ON THE RWY 25 EXTENDED CENTERLINE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE OVERFLEW THEIR HOMES AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF UNUSUAL ENGINE NOISES. AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE IN A RAPID DESCENT IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIRPLANE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE AZIMUTH AND ANGLE ABOVE THE HORIZON OF THE SUN WAS 241.1 DEG AND 2.8 DEG. RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13670](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13670-2012-06-14), registration cancelled 2012-06-14, S/N 17262929, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 62929
- Airframe hours: 5758
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mercury Air Center
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, October 10, 1990, 22 hours before
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA
- Airport: SBA, Santa Barbara, runway 25, 6,049 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 118 total, 40 in this make and model, 64 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBA, 7 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 19901021046469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901021046469A), Oct 21, 1990: Cessna 172M, Santa Barbara, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Became too low on final after tower added spacing instructions due to traffic. Struck wires. Crashed into building.

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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