# NTSB LAX92FA242: Cessna 172I, N225EB, Chino Hills, CA, June 11, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1992, 18:00 local (Jun 11, 1992, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Chino Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 33.939399, -117.720924 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9394&lon=-117.7209&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27434
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA242
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27434/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA242

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR WEATHER EVALUATION AND INFLIGHT DECISION TO CONTINUE FLIGHT INTO INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

A CESSNA 172I COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN DURING INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. A FIRE WAS REPORTED IN THE ACCIDENT AREA. FIREMAN WERE UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE DUE TO LOW CEILINGS AND FOG OBSCURING THE MOUNTAIN TOPS. A HELICOPTER WAS DISPATCHED TO HELP LOCATE THE FIRE AND HAD TO TURN AROUND DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FIRE WAS EVENTUALLY EXTINGUISHED DURING NIGHT FALL. THE AIRPLANE ACCIDENT WAS NOT DISCOVERED AS THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE UNTIL DAYLIGHT THE FOLLOWING DAY. TWO WEATHER OBSERVATION FACILITIES LOCATED AT TWO LOCAL AIRPORTS WHICH BRACKETED WERE REPORTING A 2,000 FT OVERCAST CEILING. ONE WAS LOCATED FIVE MILES AWAY AT AN ELEVATION OF 650 FT MSL. ANOTHER WAS LOCATED 14 MILES AWAY AT AN ELEVATION 96 FT MSL. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE WAS ABOUT 1,485 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N225EB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N225EB-2013-06-18), registration cancelled 2013-06-18, S/N 17256855, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172I
- Registry model: [Cessna 172I](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172i) (registry code 2072426) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 172 56855
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Tomich, Luis A.
- Registered owner: Tomich, Luis A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1991
- Departed: L66, CORONA, CA
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,555 total, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CNA, 5 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 19920610019539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920610019539A), Jun 10, 1992: Cessna 172I, Chino Hills, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Impacted below ridge in cloud obscured Hills. Fire erupted. Alerted forestry fire department.

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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