# NTSB LAX91FA074: Cessna 172RG, N9721B, Hayward, CA, January 15, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 15, 1991, 08:56 local (16:56 UTC)
- Place: Hayward, CA
- Coordinates: 37.669387, -122.079292 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6694&lon=-122.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26972
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26972/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA074

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE.  CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT'S IMPROPER VFR PROCEDURES AND HIS MISJUDGED EVALUATION OF THE WEATHER IN DAYLIGHT CONDITIONS.  ADDITIONAL FACTORS RELATED TO THE PRESENCE OF LOW CLOUDS AND TO THE RESTRICTED VISIBILITY.

## 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)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - daylight
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - water
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 1700 HOUR INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT BETWEEN HAYWARD (HWD) AND SAN CARLOS (SQL) HAVING REPORTEDLY FLOWN THE ROUTE TO WORK OVER 100 TIMES.  THE PILOT'S SQL DESTINATION DID NOT HAVE A PUBLISHED INSTRUMENT APPROACH.  SO, THE PILOT PLANNED TO EXECUTE AN IFR APPROACH TO HWD AND THEN INITIALLY FLY UNDER SVFR TOWARD SQL.  APPROACHING SQL THE PILOT PLANNED TO REQUEST A SVFR CLEARANCE INTO ITS CONTROL ZONE. WHILE FLYING ENROUTE THE PILOT WOULD BE OVER OPEN WATER IN UNCONTROLLED AIRSPACE WHERE ONLY ONE MILE OF FLIGHT VISIBILITY WOULD BE REQUIRED. AFTER EXECUTING THE INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO HWD THE PILOT RECEIVED, AS PLANNED, THE REQUESTED CLEARANCE OUT OF ITS CONTROL ZONE.  AFTER RECEIVING A SVFR CLEARANCE INTO SQL'S CONTROL ZONE THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND HE DESCENDED INTO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY.  AT THE TIME THE PILOT WAS IN HWD'S AIRSPACE, ITS WEATHER WAS, IN PART: 200 FOOT OVERCAST CEILING AND ONE MILE VISIBILITY IN FOG.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9721B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9721B-1994-07-28), registration cancelled 1994-07-28, S/N 172RG0991 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172RG
- Registry model: [Cessna 172RG](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172rg) (registry code 2072438) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172RG0991
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-F1A6 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Gregord Mccartney&Dieter Kueck
- Registered owner: Gregord Mccartney&Dieter Kueck
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,703 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 6 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 19910115000549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910115000549A), Jan 15, 1991: Cessna 172RG, Hayward, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into bay during low altitude special VFR. Wreckage indicates high speed impact. Glassy water vertigo factor

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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