# NTSB LAX92FA236: Cessna 152, N701KA, Sylmar, CA, June 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1992, 15:14 local (22:14 UTC)
- Place: Sylmar, CA
- Coordinates: 34.320171, -118.379646 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3202&lon=-118.3796&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA236
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA236

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY JUDGE AND EVALUATE THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND HIS IMPROPER IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO FLY CLOSE TO CLOUDS. THESE ACTS LED TO HIS ENTERING IMC AND BECOMING LOST AND DISORIENTED.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - weather condition - clouds
  - weather evaluation - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING AN UNSUPERVISED SOLO INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE PILOT, WHO RECENTLY RECEIVED AN INSTRUMENT RATING, PLANNED ON INCREASING HIS FLIGHT TIME IN HOPES OF BECOMING A COMMERCIAL PILOT. THE PILOT INDICATED TO ATC THAT HE HAD RECEIVED THE LOCAL ARPT WEATHER. A BROKEN CEILING WAS REPORTED AT 2000 FT AGL (2800 FT. MSL). THE PILOT TOOK OFF AND FLEW NORTHBOUND TOWARD MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. AFTER FLYING FOR ABOUT 10 MIN, THE PILOT RADIOED ATC AND INDICATED HE DESIRED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT.  ATC ISSUED THE PILOT A CLEARANCE WHICH HE ACKNOWLEDGED. THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING ANY PROBLEMS, NOR DID HE REQUEST ASSISTANCE. THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PILOT. WITNESSES LOCATED ABOUT 1 MILE FROM THE CRASH SITE REPORTED OBSERVING THE ACFT FLYING IN AND OUT OF CLOUDS IN AN EASTERLY DIRECTION NEXT TO A MOUNTAIN.  THE ACFT APPEARED TO REVERSE COURSE, AND IT INITIALLY COMMENCED FLYING IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION. THE ACFT THEN TURNED TO THE NORTH AND HEADED TOWARD THE MOUNTAIN WHICH WAS PARTIALLY CLOUD COVERED. THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW UPON REENTERING THE CLOUDS, AND SECONDS THEREAFTER THE SOUND OF AN IMPACT WAS HEARD. THE CRASH SITE ELEVATION, 8.3 NM FROM THE DEPARTURE ARPT, WAS ABOUT 2550 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N701KA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N701KA-1992-10-05), registration cancelled 1992-10-05, S/N 15281896 (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: 15281896
- Airframe hours: 3609
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: King Aviation Center, Inc.
- Registered owner: Chrysilios E. Chrysiliou
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 9, 1992, 63 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 238 total, 138 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 9 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 19920605018449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920605018449A), Jun 5, 1992: Cessna 152, Sylmar, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed into side of cloud obscured mountain after calling in to return to airport. Pilot aware of mountains.

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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