# NTSB LAX93FA068: Cessna 172M, N1169U, Laie, HI, December 17, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 1992, 19:31 local (Dec 17, 1992, 05:31 UTC) - Place: Laie, HI - Coordinates: 21.639583, -157.919769 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.6396&lon=-157.9198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 3 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27816 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93FA068 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27816/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93FA068 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT FLIGHT INTO A MOUNTAINOUS AREA WHERE HE LOST VISUAL REFERENCE TO ILLUMINATED GROUND FEATURES WHICH RESULTED IN HIS BECOMING DISORIENTED. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: 1) THE DARK SKY AND LOW CLOUD CONDITIONS; 2) THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO OBTAIN A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING PRIOR TO TAKE OFF; 3) HIS IMPROPER WEATHER EVALUATION; 4) HIS INEXPERIENCE FLYING AT NIGHT; AND 5) THE USAF'S CLEARING AUTHORITY PERSONNEL'S FAILURE TO ADHERE TO ESTABLISHED WRITTEN PROCEDURES WHICH BARRED INEXPERIENCED PILOTS FROM BEING DISPATCHED WITH THE INTENT OF PERFORMING NIGHTTIME CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHTS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - preflight briefing service - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - dispatch procedures - not followed, other government personnel (cause) - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor) - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - lack of total experience in type operation, pilot in command (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis DURING A DARK NIGHTTIME FLIGHT THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY THE USAF AERO CLUB'S AIRPLANE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE ISLAND. AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT ONE HALF OF THE TRIP, THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE 50 DEGREE UP SLOPE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN, ABOUT 3.5 NM WEST OF COURSE. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE PILOT'S FIRST EXPEREINCE FLYING AT NIGHT AS THE PILOT IN COMMAND. THE PILOT HAD 3.0 TOTAL HOURS OF NIGHT FLYING EXPERIENCE, AND HAD OBTAINED HIS PILOT'S CERTIFICATE 5 DAYS EARLIER. DURING THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT PREPARATIONS, HE DID NOT REQUEST A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING WHICH WOULD HAVE INDICATED THE LIKELIHOOD OF ENCOUNTERING RAIN SHOWERS WHILE FLYING OVER WINDWARD OAHU. THE USAF HAD A PROCEDURE WHICH, IF FOLLOWED, WOULD HAVE BARRED THE PILOT FROM PERFORMING THE FLIGHT. THE USAF CLEARING AUTHORITY PERSONNEL FAILED TO ADHERE TO ESTABLISHED WRITTEN DISPATCH PROCEDURES. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1169U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1169U-1993-12-07), registration cancelled 1993-12-07, S/N 17266873 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M - Registry model: [Cessna 172M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172m) (registry code 2072418) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17266873 - Airframe hours: 4337 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hickam Wheeler Aero Club - Registered owner: Hickam Wheeler Aero Club - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1992, 38 hours before - Departed: HNL, HONOLULU, HI - Flight plan: Military VFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 25; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 75 total, 75 in this make and model, 29 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 22 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Night/dark ## 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 19921216050789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921216050789A), Dec 16, 1992: Cessna 172M, Laie, HI, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Flew into a cloud obscured mountain at night. Rain, low clouds in area. Flight not advised per club regulations. ## Other investigations on N1169U (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 SEA79DYE32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79DYE32), Jul 17, 1979: Cessna 172M (N1169U), Ocean Shores, WA, 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. --- 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.