# NTSB LAX92FA389: Beech 76, N5269M, Mount Shasta, CA, September 17, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1992, 18:00 local (Sep 17, 1992, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Mount Shasta, CA
- Coordinates: 41.309921, -122.319442 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3099&lon=-122.3194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 29, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27453
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92FA389
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27453/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92FA389

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER EN ROUTE DECISION TO ALTER HIS COURSE AND TO PROCEED OVER A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WITH INADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO CLEAR THE RISING TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PILOT, WHO HELD A FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE, AND THE PASSENGER, WHO HELD A PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE, TOOK OFF AND INITIALLY FLEW TOWARD THEIR SOUTHERLY DESTINATION ON AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN.  THE PASSENGER WAS EMPLOYED BY A TELEVISION STATION WHICH HAD HIRED THE PILOT TO FLY HIM TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FOR A PHOTO ASSIGNMENT.  IT WAS A CLEAR DAY, AND WHILE EN ROUTE THE PILOT CANCELLED HIS FLIGHT PLAN.  THEREAFTER, ALL FAA SERVICES WERE TERMINATED.  THE PILOT HAD INDICATED THAT DURING THE FLIGHT HE PLANNED TO FLY VIA VICTOR AIRWAY 23.  THE AIRPLANE PROCEEDED ABOUT 23 NM EAST OF COURSE AND APPROACHED MOUNT SHASTA, ELEVATION 14,162 FEET MSL. WITNESSES, WHO WERE LOCATED AT ABOUT THE 6,700 FOOT LEVEL ON THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE FLYING WITHIN ABOUT 40 FEET OF THE TOPS OF TREES AND TOWARD RISING TERRAIN.  THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO REVERSE ITS COURSE AND THEN DESCEND INTO THE 7600 TO 7800 FT MSL TERRAIN WHEREUPON A FIRE IMMEDIATELY STARTED.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5269M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5269M-1993-01-20), registration cancelled 1993-01-20, S/N ME22 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 76
- Registry model: [Beech 76](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-76) (registry code 1153005) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: ME 22
- Airframe hours: 2136
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1G6D 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Willamette Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: Willamette Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 1992, 97 hours before
- Departed: 3S2, AURORA, OR
- Destination: SCK, STOCKTON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 782 total, 61 in this make and model, 712 as pilot in command, 216 in the last 90 days, 133 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: 1O5, 25 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 19920916037039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920916037039A), Sep 16, 1992: Beech 76, Mount Shasta, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Descended into trees avoiding box canyon rising terrain. Renter pilot for kptv photographer had critical stenosis.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.