# NTSB LAX92FA260: Cessna 421B, N628RJ, Monterey, CA, June 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1992, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Monterey, CA
- Coordinates: 36.600254, -121.880783 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6003&lon=-121.8808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA260
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA260

## Probable cause

THE OWNER/PILOT'S POOR JUDGEMENT IN ATTEMPTING AN OPERATION BEYOND HIS EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY, WHICH RESULTED IN HIS FAILURE TO ATTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLIMB PROFILE NECESSARY FOR TERRAIN CLEARANCE. ALSO, THE OWNER/PILOT LACKED INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE, AND WAS OVERCONFIDENT IN HIS ABILITY. FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE HILLY TERRAIN AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, climb - to cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE 3 OCCUPANTS ABOARD WERE: THE OWNER IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT, HIS WIFE IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT, AND A MAN HIRED BY THE OWNER TO FLY THE AIRPLANE (SEAT LOCATION COULD NOT BE DETERMINED). PRIOR TO TAKEOFF A MAN TELEPHONED FSS FOR A WEATHER BRIEFING AND TO FILE AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. HE TOLD FSS THE PILOT'S NAME WAS J. HAMLETT; A J. HAMLETT WAS NOT ABOARD (IT WAS FOUND LATER THAT HAMLETT WAS THE MAIDEN NAME OF THE WIFE OF THE MAN HIRED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE). TWO MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT WAS TOLD TO CONTACT DEPARTURE; THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED. THIS WAS THE LAST RECORDED RADIO CONTACT. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A HILL OBSCURED BY GROUND FOG ABOUT 3 MI EAST OF THE AIRPORT. THE MAN HIRED TO FLY THE AIRPLANE DID NOT POSSESS AN AIRMAN CERTIFICATE; HIS CERTIFICATE WAS REVOKED 2 YEARS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE OWNER HAD OBTAINED HIS PRIVATE CERTIFICATE FOR AIRPLANE SINGLE-ENGINE LAND ABOUT 1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, AND HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY MULTI-ENGINE INSTRUCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N628RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N628RJ-1992-10-26), registration cancelled 1992-10-26, S/N 421B0028 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B-0028
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Judith Rea Enterprises
- Registered owner: Judith Rea Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: MRY
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 75 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRY, 3 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 19920624021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920624021659A), Jun 24, 1992: Cessna 421B, Monterey, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into cloud obscured hillside on IFR departure. PIC owner and wife in cockpit. Hired PIC in cabin no license.

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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