# NTSB LAX91FA394: Cessna 210, N6558X, Rialto, CA, September 14, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1991, 03:37 local (10:37 UTC)
- Place: Rialto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.100399, -117.379562 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1004&lon=-117.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27025
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA394
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27025/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA394

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO THE USE OF DRUGS WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER DEPARTED THEIR HOME BASE AT 0200 HOURS IN THE MORNING FOR AN HOUR-PLUS FLIGHT TO MEET A FRIEND AT A NON-CONTROLLED AIRPORT. A NEARBY CONTROLLED AIRPORT ATIS WAS REPORTING AN 800 FOOT OVERCAST WITH 2 MILES IN FOG. RADAR DATA INDICATES THE PILOT CIRCLED THE INTENDED AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0330 HOURS WHILE DESCENDING. LOCAL AREA RESIDENTS AND POLICE STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED IN DENSE FOG WITH OCCASIONAL BREAKS. THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO SEMI-LEVEL TERRAIN ABOUT 2 MILES NORTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSTS REVEALED 2.1 MG/KG OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE PILOT'S LIVER. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WAS LOCATED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD METHAMPHETAMINE IN HIS BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6558X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6558X-1991-10-17), registration cancelled 1991-10-17, S/N 57558 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210
- Registry model: [Cessna 210](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210) (registry code 2073402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57558
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-E 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Melvin C. Bingham
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 665 total, 329 in this make and model, 613 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 240° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Observed at: ONT, 11 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 19910914039999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910914039999A), Sep 14, 1991: Cessna 210, Rialto, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted ground maneuvering at night in thick fog near airport. No flight plan or weather brief. Drug test positive

## Other investigations on N6558X (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI67F0376](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0376), Oct 30, 1966: Cessna 210 (N6558X), Northbrook, IL, substantial damage

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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