# NTSB LAX92LA261: Cessna 140, N76962, Newhall, CA, June 24, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 24, 1992, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Newhall, CA
- Coordinates: 34.3605, -118.469535 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3605&lon=-118.4695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27659
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA261
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27659/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA261

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR JUDGMENT AND HIS OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS ABILITY TO FLY HIS AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence
  - precautionary landing - intentional, pilot in command
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT INITIATED A SOLO CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT INTO A MOUNTAIN PASS.  EN ROUTE THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED TURBULENCE, DOWNDRAFTS, AND WAS UNABLE TO OUT CLIMB THE RISING ELEVATION OF THE TERRAIN.  THE PILOT REVERSED COURSE AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD.  DURING ROLLLOUT THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND A BERM.  NO EVIDENCE WAS PRESENTED TO THE SAFETY BOARD SHOWING THAT THE STUDENT PILOT'S FLIGHT HAD BEEN AUTHORIZED BY A CFI OR THAT THE PILOT WAS CURRENT.  THE FAA HAD PREVIOUSLY WARNED THE PILOT NOT TO PERFORM UNAUTHORIZED FLIGHTS IN HIS AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N76962](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76962), registered now, S/N 11408, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 140
- Registry model: [Cessna 140](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-140) (registry code 2071602) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25063-6-12
- Airframe hours: 2829
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bruce A. Grieves
- Registered owner: Bruce A. Grieves
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 25, 1991, 50 hours before
- Departed: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Destination: CL46, GORMAN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 40 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19920624021679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920624021679A), Jun 24, 1992: Cessna 140, Newhall, CA, Substantial damage. Unable to outclimb rising terrain. Made precautionary landing on a road. Wind gust veered aircraft into a fence.

## Other investigations on N76962 (1)

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.

- [NTSB FTW66F0574](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW66F0574), Mar 5, 1966: Cessna 140 (N76962), Houston, TX, substantial damage

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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