# NTSB LAX91FA044: Cessna T210-F, N6775R, Fontana, CA, November 26, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 25, 1990, 18:10 local (Nov 26, 1990, 02:10 UTC)
- Place: Fontana, CA
- Coordinates: 34.07941, -117.459983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0794&lon=-117.4600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING THE HOURS OF DARKNESS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - haze/smoke (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather forecast - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - uphill
  - visual lookout - reduced, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command

## Analysis

A CESSNA T210F COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING A NIGHT VFR FLIGHT. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN THE ACCIDENT AREA AT THE TIME. THE PILOT RECEIVED A WEATHER BRIEFING FORECASTING FOG AND HAZE BELOW A CLOUD LAYER ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. THE BASE OF THE CLOUD LAYER WAS BELOW THE ELEVATION OF MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN LOCATED WITHIN 5 MILES OF HIS DESTINATION. WITNESSES REPORTED REDUCED VISIBILITY DUE TO FOG AND HAZE ON THE GROUND NEAR THE ACCIDENT AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6775R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6775R-1991-05-21), registration cancelled 1991-05-21, S/N T2100175 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA T210-F
- Registry model: [Cessna T210F](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-t210f) (registry code 2073422) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0175
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO 520C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Miller, James R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 1L9, PAROWAN, UT
- Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA
- Airport: CCB, Cable

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 550 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm

## 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 19901125051939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901125051939A), Nov 25, 1990: Cessna T210F, Upland, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck upslope of mountain foothills while following interstate at low altitude at night in fog and light rain.

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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