# NTSB LAX92FA241: Cessna 172P, N5449K, Big Sur, CA, June 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 9, 1992, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Big Sur, CA
- Coordinates: 36.079654, -121.599609 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0797&lon=-121.5996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27433
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27433/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA241

## Probable cause

PILOT INCAPACITION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - aircraft control - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - incapacitation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS A SCENIC TOUR OF THE COAST LINE. THE PLT HAD ADVISED ATC THAT HE WOULD BE DESCENDING BELOW THE COASTAL MOUNTAINS. THERE WAS NO FURTHER CONTACT WITH THE AIRPLANE. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED UPSLOPING TERRAIN IN A NEAR WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE. NO PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE WAS FOUND. THE PILOT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN DENIED A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE DURING THE 7 YEARS PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT DUE TO A CEREBELLAR STROKE, BUT HAD REGAINED THE CERTIFICATE ABOUT 1-1/2 YEARS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5449K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5449K-1993-03-25), registration cancelled 1993-03-25, S/N 17274116 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172P
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1727416
- Airframe hours: 5443
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Del Monte Aviation
- Registered owner: Del Monte Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1992, 68 hours before
- Departed: MRY, MONTEREY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,362 total, 1,000 in this make and model, 5,979 as pilot in command, 154 in the last 90 days, 61 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 18 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 19920609019079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920609019079A), Jun 9, 1992: Cessna 172P, Big Sur, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft crashed and burned in brush covered terrain while on a 30 minute commercial sightseeing flight.

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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