- Date
- January 11, 1992, 18:08 local (Jan 12, 1992, 02:08 UTC)
- Place
- Las Vegas, NV
- Injuries
- 7 fatal
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N425BNCessna 425
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Status
- Completed · report May 26, 1993
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19920111000369A
- Case key
- 27400
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control due to spatial disorientation. Factors in this accident were: 1) the pilot's failure to obtain a preflight weather briefing and to properly evaluate the existing weather conditions prior to flight, and 2) reported unfavorable weather conditions, including turbulence, snow, rain, and obscuration at flight altitudes along the pilot's route of flight.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
No record could be found showing the pilot received a weather briefing prior to takeoff. Unfavorable weather was in the vicinity. Several times the pilot had difficulties understanding and complying with instructions from clearance delivery, ground control, and departure control. After takeoff the pilot requested and received an IFR clearance. During the last five minutes of flight radar returns showed the airplane changing heading from 45 degrees to as much as 180 degrees about 10 times and descending or ascending several times from altitudes ranging from 4,500 feet MSL to 11,500 feet MSL. The altitude and heading changes were not directed by controllers. About 3 minutes before the accident departure control asked the pilot if he had a problem. The pilot indicated that he did and 'we're trying to get straight.' One minute later, the pilot said 'we're all right.' Shortly afterwards, radar data showed a loss of control. Radar and communications were lost and an on ground explosion was observed as the accident occurred. An FAA flight surgeon reviewed the pilot's medical records. Within one year of the accident the pilot had 3 physical conditions and was taking 3 separate prescriptions which would have prevented him from being medically qualified to pilot an aircraft.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N425BN
- Reported as
- Cessna 425
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 425-0057
- Engine
- P&W PT6A-112, 450 horsepower, turbo prop
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Fire
- On-Ground
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- George N. Derenia
- Registered owner
- George N. Derenia
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Continuous airworthiness · July 11, 1991
- Departed
- LAS · Las Vegas, NV
- Destination
- TOR · Torrance, CA
- Flight plan
- IFR
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 57
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Multi-engine land, Single-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Toxicology
- Performed
- Flight hours
- 1,900 total
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Night/dark
- Wind
- 320° at 20 knots, gusting 26
- Visibility
- 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- 9,500 ft overcast
- Temperature
- 54 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.00 inHg
- Observed at
- LAS, 15 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.