# NTSB LAX92FA202: Cessna 152, N67545, Pinyon Pines, CA, May 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1992, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Pinyon Pines, CA
- Location: 33.5895° N, 116.4528° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pinyon Pines, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5895&lon=-116.4528&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27426
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA202
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27426/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA202

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE WHILE MANEUVERING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN GETTING TRAPPED IN A BOX CANYON, RESULTING IN A STALL DUE TO INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT A LOW ALTITUDE, HIS IMPAIRMENT DUE TO DRUGS, AND THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(drugs), pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING TIME TO ENABLE HIM TO TAKE HIS COMMERCIAL PILOT'S EXAM. HE AND A PASSENGER FLEW INTO A CANYON SURROUNDED BY RISING TERRAIN AND MOUNTAINS. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THEY WERE FLYING 'TOO LOW' AND HE TOLD THE PILOT '...LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.' THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TRYING. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE AND ITS ENGINE WERE OPERATING 'FINE.' HE SAID THAT WEATHER WAS NO FACTOR. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL TEST WAS POSITIVE FOR 0.028 UG/ML TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIHUANA) DETECTED IN THE BLOOD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N67545](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N67545-1993-06-16), registration cancelled 1993-06-16, S/N 15281904 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 152-081904
- Airframe hours: 4079
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-N2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bermuda Air Services Inc.
- Registered owner: Bermuda Air Services Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 1, 1992, 11 hours before
- Departed: UDD, BERMUDA DUNES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 19; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 216 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920505013519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920505013519A), May 5, 1992: Cessna 152, Pinyon Pines, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Stalled trying to turn around in a canyon. Marijuana in pilots system at impairment level.

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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