LAX98FA052

The non-instrument rated pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing for a cross-country flight. About 30 minutes after the approximate departure time, witnesses in a mountainous area heard the sound of an aircraft impacting the terrain. The terrain was obscured in low clouds, and ground and air searchers were hampered by the clouds. The aircraft had descended into the mountainous terrain at a steep angle. The aircraft was fragmented, but all components were accounted for at the site. Postaccident examination of the aircraft and engine was made, but no preexisting condition or failed control system was found that would have caused the accident.

History of flight

On December 7, 1997, about 0945 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 172N, N3548E, was destroyed near Lytle Creek, California. The pilot and passenger both received fatal injuries. The pilot obtained a preflight weather briefing from the Riverside Flight Service Station at 0702 from Upland, California, to Calexico, California. The flight originated at Cable Airport, Upland, about 0815. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed in the accident area at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.

About 30 minutes after the approximate departure time witnesses in a mountainous area heard the sound of an airplane impacting terrain. The terrain was obscured in low clouds. Ground and air searchers were hampered by the cloud condition. Motorcyclists riding the fire roads came across the wreckage and notified the police.

Personnel information

According to excerpts from the private pilot's logbook, the last logged flight was conducted on November 21, 1997. At that time, the log entries reflected a total flight time of 320 hours. No instrument or simulated instrument times were found in the limited log information. The pilot's last biennial flight review was conducted on October 17, 1996. His last third-class medical certificate was issued on February 1, 1996.

Aircraft information

According to logbook information, the last documented annual inspection occurred on October 1, 1997. The total flight time was listed as 5,309 hours, with 127 hours since engine major overhaul.

A copy of the membership check-out sheet was obtained. According to the sheet the last flight started at a Hobbs reading of 1,004.9 hours. The Hobbs meter indicated 1,005.4 when recovered at the accident site.

Meteorological information

The pilot's preflight weather briefing stated, in part, that weather advisories were in effect for southern California, and the entire route of flight may experience mountainous terrain to be obscured by clouds, precipitation, or mist up until sometime between 0900 and 1300. Turbulence was also expected. The weather in the Ontario local area was given to the pilot as primarily scattered to locally broken stratus clouds based between 3,000 and 5,000. Most visibilities were unrestricted.

Wreckage and impact information

The accident site was located in the San Bernardino National Forest near Grapevine Canyon at north longitude 34 degrees 11 minutes and west latitude 117 degrees 27 minutes, and 2,580 feet msl. The site was shrouded in clouds with limited visibility and eventual rain during the on-scene investigation.

The initial wreckage path, about 215 degrees magnetic, started at the outside edge of a forestry road. It then crossed the road and impacted a steep mountainside with wreckage deflecting to 126 degrees back across the road and down the mountain side.

The airframe was fragmented with most of the main structure located down the mountainside. The engine, propeller, nose landing gear, and main gear components were found across the road.

Control continuity was not possible on-scene, however, it was subsequently established at a postaccident reconstruction/examination with Cessna and Lycoming representatives. All major airframe components were accounted for. Most instrumentation was not recovered from the dense brush of the mountainside.

Additional information

On February 26, 1998, the wreckage was released to the insurance company representative.