# NTSB LAX91FA281: Cessna 182Q, N759FY, Fillmore, CA, June 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1991, 11:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Fillmore, CA
- Coordinates: 34.399597, -118.830131 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3996&lon=-118.8301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA281
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA281

## Probable cause

POOR JUDGEMENT BY THE PILOT TO CONTINUE VFR FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS IFR CONDITIONS THAT INCLUDED LOW CEILINGS AND LOW VISIBILITY AND INSUFFICIENT INSTRUMENT TRAINING OF THE PILOT TO DEAL WITH THE IFR CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - drizzle/mist (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE ON A PERSONAL CROSS COUNRY FLIGHT AND WERE REPORTED OVERDUE. SEARCH PERSONNEL LOCATED THE ACCIDENT THE FOLLOWING DAY, AFTER RECEIVING AN ELT SIGNAL. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND ON THE EAST FACE OF A 4000 FOOT MOUNTAIN AT AN EELEVATION OF 3500 FEET. THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT OBTAINED A WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT IN WHICH FLIGHT PRECAUTIONS WERE FORECASTED AND VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS ALONG THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT WERE REPORTED TO BE MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION, MODERATE TURBULENCE, BROKEN CEILINGS OF 1500 TO 2000 FEET WITH VARIOUS LAYERS OF CLOUDS. COASTAL CONDITIONS INCLUDED LIMITED VISIBILITIES OF 3 TO 5 MILES IN FOG AND HAZE AND SOME SCATTERED LIGHT RAIN SHOWERS. WHEN THE PILOT OPENED THE VFR FLIGHT PLAN, THE INFORMATION THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED WAS AGAIN STRESSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759FY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N759FY-1993-05-11), registration cancelled 1993-05-11, S/N 18265970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18265970
- Airframe hours: 2675
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Francisco Garcia
- Registered owner: Francisco Garcia
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1990, 55 hours before
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: MRY, MONTEREY, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 190 total, 49 in this make and model, 142 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OXR, 18 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 19910628024909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910628024909A), Jun 28, 1991: Cessna 182Q, Fillmore, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain. VFR flight not recommended on pilot briefing.

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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