# NTSB LAX92FA078: Cessna 182R, N5485N, Flagstaff, AZ, January 3, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 2, 1992, 18:15 local (Jan 3, 1992, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Flagstaff, AZ
- Coordinates: 35.229923, -111.720581 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2299&lon=-111.7206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 24, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27397
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27397/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED AND LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AS HE TURNED AWAY FROM GROUND LIGHTS TOWARD UNLIGHTED TERRAIN. THE CLOUDS, FOG, AND DARK NIGHT CONDITION WERE FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CLIMB TO AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 300-400 FT AGL BEFORE TURNING RIGHT AND DESCENDING INTO TREES. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE HORIZON WAS OBSCURED FROM HIS LOCATION, AND THAT THE LIGHTS FROM THE CITY WERE OBSCURED BY LOW STRATUS CLOUDS AND FOG. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PILOT HAD ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIVING THE CURRENT ATIS INFORMATION WHICH REPORTED SCATTERED CLOUDS AT 500 FT AND A FOG BANK NORTHWEST THROUGH EAST, VISIBILITY NORTHWEST 2 MI, VISIBILITY EAST 3 MI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5485N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5485N-1992-12-29), registration cancelled 1992-12-29, S/N 18267753 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267753
- Airframe hours: 2701
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470U-18B 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pedrick Construction Company
- Registered owner: Pedrick Construction Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 8, 1991, 8 hours before
- Departed: FLG
- Destination: DVT, PHOENIX, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: FLG, Pulliam, runway 3, 6,999 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,497 total, 624 in this make and model, 1,439 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 21 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLG, 1 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 19920102000069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920102000069A), Jan 2, 1992: Cessna 182R, Flagstaff, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control on climbing turnout. Dived into trees. No ground lights and fog in area.

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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