# NTSB LAX92LA024: Cessna 152, N24237, Willits, CA, October 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1991, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Willits, CA
- Coordinates: 39.489521, -123.360267 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4895&lon=-123.3603&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR IN-FLIGHT DECISION TO CONTINUE HIS FLIGHT IN DETERIORATING WEATHER, AND HIS MISJUDGED WEATHER EVALUATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - weather condition - rain
  - weather condition - obscuration
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - object - tree(s)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT THE PILOT SAID THAT WHILE FLYING TO HIS HOME IN WILLITS, CALIFORNIA, HE ENCOUNTERED DETERIORATING WEATHER.  HE SAID THAT HE PROCEEDED ON TO SEE IF IT WAS POSSIBLE TO REACH HIS DESTINATION.  WITH THE WEATHER FURTHER DETERIORATING, HE DECIDED TO TURN BACK.  DURING HIS 180 DEGREE, CLIMBING TURN, THE VISIBILITY GOT WORSE AND HIS AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH TREES IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N24237](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N24237-1992-03-03), registration cancelled 1992-03-03, S/N 15280167 (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: 15280167
- Airframe hours: 3700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edward A. Warburton
- Registered owner: Edward A. Warburton
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1991, 75 hours before
- Departed: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA
- Destination: 028, WILLITS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,535 total, 1,535 in this make and model, 1,387 as pilot in command, 89 in the last 90 days, 28 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast

## 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 19911025048019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911025048019A), Oct 25, 1991: Cessna 152, Willits, CA, Substantial damage. Continued VFR into low clouds,fog,and rain. Trying to turn around struck trees on mountainside.

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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