# NTSB LAX92FA164: Cessna 172N, N1333E, Claremont, CA, April 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1992, 23:31 local (Apr 5, 1992, 07:31 UTC)
- Place: Claremont, CA
- Coordinates: 34.099418, -117.659248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0994&lon=-117.6592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27418
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27418/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA164

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISIONS, HIS CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC CONDITIONS, AND HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE TIMELY REMEDIAL ACTIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - became lost/disoriented (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE RECENTLY CERTIFICATED 120 HOUR PRIVATE PILOT RENTED AN AIRCRAFT FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT AND FAILED TO RETURN WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED THE NEXT MORNING IN THE NEARBY MOUNTAINS. THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER HAD FLOWN OUT OF STATE TO A RESORT AREA FOR THE DAY. NO RECORD WAS FOUND THAT THE PILOT OBTAINED EITHER PREFLIGHT OR INFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFINGS. DURING THE NIGHT RETURN FLIGHT THE PILOT BECAME LOST AND LANDED TWICE AT DIFFERENT AIRPORTS TO GET REORIENTED. THE SECOND LANDING WAS AT A RESTRICTED MILITARY BASE. AFTER DEPARTING THE MILITARY BASE HE ESTABLISHED CONTACT WITH APPROACH CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE TO HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT WHICH WAS BENEATH AN OVERCAST. HE DECLARED THAT HIS FUEL STATUS WAS CRITICAL AND HE WAS RELUCTANT TO RETURN TO A HIGH DESERT AREA KNOWN TO BE VFR. APPROACH CONTROL PROVIDED VECTORS AS REQUESTED TO THE AREA OF HIS DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT BECAME DISORIENTED AGAIN AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED INTO CLOUDS. THE APPROACH CONTROLLER ATTEMPTED TO VECTOR THE FLIGHT AWAY FROM HIGH TERRAIN HOWEVER THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY FLYING THE HEADINGS PROVIDED BY THE CONTROLLER AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1333E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1333E-2004-03-19), registration cancelled 2004-03-19, S/N 17270960, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17270960
- Airframe hours: 3389
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cableair
- Registered owner: Robert Y. Cable
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 24, 1992, 76 hours before
- Departed: VCV, VICTORVILLE, CA
- Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 120 total, 7 in this make and model, 41 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19920404008849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920404008849A), Apr 4, 1992: Cessna 172N, Claremont, CA, Substantial damage. Flew on top at night. Low on fuel. Received vectors. Let down in clouds. Unable hold heading. Struck mountainside.

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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