# NTSB LAX92LA044: Cessna 170B, N8172A, Lake Havasu, AZ, November 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 11, 1991, 20:00 local (Nov 12, 1991, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Havasu, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.489212, -112.440536 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4892&lon=-112.4405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27502
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27502/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA044

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S;  1) INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION, 2) FAILURE TO OBTAIN CURRENT NOTAM INFORMATION, AND 3) FAILURE TO OBTAIN A CURRENT ALTIMETER SETTING.  FACTORS IN THE ACCIDENT WERE THE DARK NIGHT CONDITION AND THE PILOT ELECTION NOT TO USE THE LANDING LIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - terrain condition - ground
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - notams - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altimeter setting - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing lights - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A NIGHT CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT TO A NEW AND UNFAMILIAR AIRPORT, THE PILOT UNSUCCESSFULLY ATTEMPTED TO ESTABLISH FLIGHT FOLLOWING AND OBTAIN CURRENT ALTIMENTER SETTINGS. HE FLEW OVER THE AIRPORT AND ENTERED A TRAFFIC PATTERN. DURING THE TRUN FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH, WITH THE RUNWAY LIGHTS IN SIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN ONE AND ONE QUARTER MILES SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT DID NOT TURN ON THE AIRCRAFT LANDING LIGHT. FAA RECORDS INDICATE THE PILOT DID NOT RECEIVE A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING. THE VFR AERONAUTICAL CHART DID NOT SHOW THE NEW AIRPORT. THE OLD AIRPORT ELEVATION IS 483 FT MSL, AND THE NEW AIRPORT IS 780 FT MSL. THE CHART DEPICTING THE NEW AIRPORT BECAME EFFECTIVE 3 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. FAA PERSONNEL REPORTED THAT A NOTAM IN EFFECT CONTAINED INFORMATION PERTINENT TO THE NEW AIRPORT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HIS ALTIMETER INDICATED 1,000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8172A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8172A), registered now, S/N 25024, built 1952 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 170B
- Registry model: [Cessna 170B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-170b) (registry code 2072306) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25024
- Airframe hours: 4000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard Pl Orlebeke
- Registered owner: Howard Pl Orlebeke
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 30, 1991, 49 hours before
- Departed: PRC, PRESCOTT, AZ
- Airport: HII, Havasu City, runway 32, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,663 total, 738 in this make and model, 1,663 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 360° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19911111050129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911111050129A), Nov 11, 1991: Cessna 170B, Lake Havasu Cit, AZ, Substantial damage. Flew into ground at night turning final landing. Wrong info on airport elevation. Altimeter wrong. Landing light off

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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