# NTSB LAX92FA160: Cessna 182P, N1362M, Arcata, CA, April 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 1, 1992, 21:54 local (Apr 2, 1992, 05:54 UTC)
- Place: Arcata, CA
- Coordinates: 40.799869, -124.149223 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7999&lon=-124.1492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 16, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27416
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA160
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27416/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA160

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DESCENT BELOW DECISION HEIGHT, AND HIS ALCOHOLIC IMPAIRMENT OF EFFICIENCY AND JUDGEMENT. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE DARK NIGHT LIGHT CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - decision height - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD EARLIER, AT 2111, EXECUTED A MISSED APPROACH FOLLOWING AN ILS APPROACH TO THE ARCADA AIRPORT. THE WX AT THAT TIME WAS SKY PARTLY OBSCURED, 100 BROKEN, 1-1/2 MI IN FOG. HE ALSO CANCELED IFR. AT 2137 HE CALLED ARCADA RADIO AND ADVISED THEY HAD ' A COUPLE OF DEAD VOR'S, ' AND WOULD LIKE A DF STEER TO ARCADA AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAD EARLIER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE WAS AWARE THAT THE ARCADA VOR WAS OUT OF SERVICE. HE WAS PROVIDED DF SERVICE TO A POINT 3 MI SW OF THE AIRPORT, AND CLEARED FOR THE ILS RWY 32 APPROACH. NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE RECEIVED. THE AIRPLANE HAD COLLIDED WITH A STAND OF REDWOOD TREES 4,500 FT NE OF THE AIRPORT ON AN APRX HEADING OF 097 DEG. WITNESSES STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE PASSED OVER THEIR HOMES AT A VERY LOW ALTITUDE. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS ABOUT 1/8 MI IN FOG. THE PILOT'S BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL AS TESTED AT THE TIME OF HIS HOSPITAL ADMISSION WAS 0.14 GM%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1362M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1362M-1994-02-15), registration cancelled 1994-02-15, S/N 18264298 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264298
- Airframe hours: 5733
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Northern Aviation
- Registered owner: Northern Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1992, 10 hours before
- Departed: FOT, FORTUNA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ACV, Arcata-Eureka, runway 32, 5,998 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 953 total, 899 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ACV, 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 19920401062649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920401062649A), Apr 1, 1992: Cessna 182P, Arcata - Eureka, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control after IFR missed approach. Below minimums, pilot low IFR time and alcohol intoxication were factors.

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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