# NTSB LAX92LA279: Cessna 421B, N929DB, Shelter Cove, CA, July 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 4, 1992, 17:09 local (Jul 5, 1992, 00:09 UTC)
- Place: Shelter Cove, CA
- Coordinates: 40.150524, -123.889358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1505&lon=-123.8894&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 4 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA279
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27675/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA279

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT AND HIS FAILURE TO ENSURE THAT THE CONTROL SURFACE LOCKS WERE REMOVED PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE WAS ON THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL AT ABOUT 100 KNOTS WHEN HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CONTROL LOCK WAS STILL IN PLACE. THE PILOT SAID HE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE CONTROL LOCK BUT COULD NOT PRIOR TO THE AIRCRAFT OVER RUNNING THE DEPARTURE END OF THE 3,400 FOOT LONG RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A COUNTY SEWAGE TREATMENT BUILDING, SEPARATING THE WINGS FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE AIRCRAFT FUSELAGE CONTINUED THROUGH THE BUILDING AND CAME TO REST ON ROCKS NEAR THE BEACH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N929DB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N929DB-1995-03-23), registration cancelled 1995-03-23, S/N 421B0864 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 421B
- Registry model: [Cessna 421B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-421b) (registry code 2076014) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 421B-0864
- Airframe hours: 2198
- Engines: CONTINENTAL GTSIO-520-H 375 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Dana L. Brenneman, doing business as Golden Sierra Aviation
- Registered owner: Golden Sierra Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1991, 68 hours before
- Departed: O05
- Destination: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: OQ5, Shelter Cove, runway 3, 3,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,479 total, 218 in this make and model, 2,413 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 23 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19920704023739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920704023739A), Jul 4, 1992: Cessna 421B, Shelter Cove, CA, Destroyed. Unable to rotate on takeoff. Found control lock in place. While trying to free it ran off end and thru a building.

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.