# NTSB LAX91LA243: Cessna 182E, N3046Y, Eureka, CA, June 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1991, 18:40 local (Jun 10, 1991, 01:40 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, CA
- Coordinates: 36.279991, -119.030738 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2800&lon=-119.0307&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): 27232
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA243
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27232/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA243

## Probable cause

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS. THE PILOT'S LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, HIS DISREGARD TO THE PREFLIGHT METEOROLOGICAL BRIEFING HE RECEIVED, LOW CEILINGS, FOG, AND THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN OVER WHICH THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED WERE FACTORS 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, cruise
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER FILING A FLIGHT PLAN UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES AND RECEIVING A WEATHER BRIEFING THAT RECOMMENDED THAT FLIGHT UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES NOT BE CONDUCTED TO HIS PROPOSED DESTINATION, THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PRIVATE PILOT TOOK OFF FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT WITHOUT OPENING HIS FLIGHT PLAN. WHEN THE PASSENGER DID NOT REPORT FOR WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY HER EMPLOYER REPORTED SHE AND THE PILOT MISSING. LATER IN THE DAY A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER REPORTED THAT AN ELT WAS TRANSMITTING IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT. A GROUND PARTY FOUND THE AIRCRAFT'S WRECKAGE STREWN OVER TREE COVERED MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. LOW CEILINGS AND FOG EXISTED IN THE AREA AT THE TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3046Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3046Y-2012-09-25), registration cancelled 2012-09-25, S/N 18254046, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E
- Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18254046
- Airframe hours: 4275
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Wm. Lennox & L. Holden
- Registered owner: Wm. Lennox & L. Holden
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 1991, 60 hours before
- Departed: 2Q3, WOODLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 93 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Wind: 310° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 30 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 19910609021319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910609021319A), Jun 9, 1991: Cessna 182E, Eurekaa, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into trees in rising terrain. Terrain obscured by low ceiling and fog.

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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