# NTSB LAX92AMS03: Cessna 172D, N2425U, Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean), March 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1992, 00:17 local (08:17 UTC)
- Place: Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27386
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92AMS03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27386/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92AMS03

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS WHICH RESULTED IN THE PILOT BECOMING LOST AND DISORIENTED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE AND FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night
  - became lost/disoriented (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Ditching, descent - emergency
- Missing aircraft, unknown

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED A COASTAL AIRPORT ON A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO SO. LAKE TAHOE, CA, WITH A PLANNED TIME ENROUTE OF 3 HOURS.  ABOUT 6 HOURS AFTER THE ESTIMATED DEPARTURE TIME, THE PILOT CONTACTED A FLIGHT SERVICE STATION, REPORTING THAT HE WAS LOST AND WAS ON TOP OF AN OVERCAST IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH LESS THAN ONE HOUR OF FUEL REMAINING.  THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS EFFORTS RADAR CONTACT WITH SEATTLE CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED; THE AIRPLANE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 110 MILES WEST OF THE U.S. COAST LINE AND GIVEN RADAR VECTORS TO RETURN TO THE COAST.  ABOUT 15 MINUTES AFTER RADAR CONTACT, THE PILOT REPORTED FUEL EXHAUSTION, AND INDICATED THAT NO SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT WAS ON BOARD THE AIRPLANE.  RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 70 MILES WEST OF THE COAST LINE.  A SEARCH FAILED TO LOCATE THE AIRPLANE.  THE PILOT AND PASSENGER ARE PRESUMED TO HAVE RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES AND THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2425U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2425U-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 17250025, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172D
- Registry model: [Cessna 172D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172d) (registry code 2072410) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17250025
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mc Donald, Rex
- Registered owner: Mcdonald, Lawrence
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1991, 20 hours before
- Departed: EKA, EUREKA, CA
- Destination: TVL, LAKE TAHOE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 82 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CEC, 70 nm away

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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