# NTSB LAX92LA166: Globe GC-1B, N3319K, Cucamonga, CA, April 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1992, 13:31 local (20:31 UTC)
- Place: Cucamonga, CA
- Location: 34.1422° N, 117.6295° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cucamonga, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1422&lon=-117.6295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27592
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA166
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27592/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA166

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO AVOID COLLIDING INTO THE RISING TERRAIN OF THE BOX CANYON.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT HAVING BEEN DISTRACTED BY AN ENGINE GAGE.

## 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
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly
  - terrain condition - blind/box canyon
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT, AND A FRIEND FLYING IN A SECOND SIMILAR MODEL AIRPLANE WHICH ALSO CRASHED, PROCEEDED UP A BOX CANYON. DURING THE LOOSE FORMATION FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS IN THE LEAD.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE CANYON AND HE INTENTIONALLY DESCENDED TO 250 FEET AGL WHILE PROCEEDING UP THE CANYON.  THE PILOT STATED HE BECAME DISTRACTED WHEN AN ENGINE CYLINDER'S EGT GAGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING. THEREAFTER, HE WAS TOO FAR INTO THE CANYON TO TURN AROUND, AND HE COLLIDED WITH THE SIDE OF THE CANYON.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE WHICH WAS FIRE DAMAGED. (SEE REPORT NUMBER LAX92FA169 FOR DETAILS OF THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S CRASH.)

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3319K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3319K-1993-03-26), registration cancelled 1993-03-26, S/N 1312 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLOBE GC-1B
- Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1312
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas R. Barrow
- Registered owner: Douglas R. Barrow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1991, 150 hours before
- Departed: L12, REDLANDS, CA
- Destination: CCB, UPLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 303 total, 301 in this make and model, 260 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ONT, 8 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 19920405008759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920405008759A), Apr 5, 1992: Univac GC1B, Rancho Cucamong, CA, Destroyed. Flew into box canyon under overcast with another GC1B. Struck rising terrain. Other aircraft crashed turing around.

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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