# NTSB LAX92FA082: Cessna 421C, N2654M, Mammoth Lakes, CA, January 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 4, 1992, 18:55 local (Jan 5, 1992, 02:55 UTC)
- Place: Mammoth Lakes, CA
- Coordinates: 37.579914, -118.840133 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5799&lon=-118.8401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27398
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA082
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27398/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA082

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PLAN AND CONDUCT HIS DEPARTURE FLIGHT TO AVOID HIGH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, DURING WHICH THE PILOT BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO DEPART BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF A SNOW STORM.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, climb - to cruise
  - object - tree(s)
  - light condition - dark night
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds
  - became lost/disoriented (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - snow covered

## Analysis

DUE TO THE IMPENDING ARRIVAL OF A SNOW STORM, THE CERTIFICATED COMMERCIAL PILOT AND 5 PASSENGERS DEPARTED ONE DAY EARLIER THAN PLANNED, FROM AN UNCONTROLLED AIRPORT LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN TO BEGIN A NIGHT, CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED. PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, THE PILOT WAS GIVEN AN IFR CLEARANCE VOID TIME FROM AN ARTCC.  THE PILOT WAS CLIMBING TOWARD A VOR LOCATED ABOUT 27 MILES SOUTHEAST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT THE ARTCC TO OPEN HIS INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN TERRAIN CLEARANCE, AND BECAME LOST/DISORIENTED.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK TREES AND SNOW COVERED TERRAIN AT 10,200 FEET MSL, 7 NAUTICAL MILES AND ABOUT 22 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE INTENDED COURSE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2654M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2654M-2013-10-25), registration cancelled 2013-10-25, S/N 421C0691 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421C
- Registry model: [Cessna 421C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421c) (registry code 2076016) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421C0691
- Airframe hours: 3200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-L 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Frank Gearhart
- Registered owner: Frank Gearhart
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1991, 195 hours before
- Destination: POC, LA VERNE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 270 in this make and model, 1,230 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 25 °F, dew point 21 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMH, 7 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 19920105000149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920105000149A), Jan 5, 1992: Cessna 421C, Mammoth Lakes, CA, Destroyed, 4 fatal. Departed early to avoid snowstorm. While obtaining IFR clearance failed climb. Struck trees. Off propper heading.

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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