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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 14, 1991 · Cessna 210 · N6558X

Rialto, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 14, 1991
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Rialto, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 210
Tail Number
N6558X
Operator
Melvin C Bingham
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91FA394

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER DEPARTED THEIR HOME BASE AT 0200 HOURS IN THE MORNING FOR AN HOUR-PLUS FLIGHT TO MEET A FRIEND AT A NON-CONTROLLED AIRPORT. A NEARBY CONTROLLED AIRPORT ATIS WAS REPORTING AN 800 FOOT OVERCAST WITH 2 MILES IN FOG. RADAR DATA INDICATES THE PILOT CIRCLED THE INTENDED AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0330 HOURS WHILE DESCENDING. LOCAL AREA RESIDENTS AND POLICE STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED IN DENSE FOG WITH OCCASIONAL BREAKS. THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO SEMI-LEVEL TERRAIN ABOUT 2 MILES NORTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSTS REVEALED 2.1 MG/KG OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE PILOT'S LIVER. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WAS LOCATED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD METHAMPHETAMINE IN HIS BLOOD.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO THE USE OF DRUGS WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER DEPARTED THEIR HOME BASE AT 0200 HOURS IN THE MORNING FOR AN HOUR-PLUS FLIGHT TO MEET A FRIEND AT A NON-CONTROLLED AIRPORT. A NEARBY CONTROLLED AIRPORT ATIS WAS REPORTING AN 800 FOOT OVERCAST WITH 2 MILES IN FOG. RADAR DATA INDICATES THE PILOT CIRCLED THE INTENDED AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0330 HOURS WHILE DESCENDING. LOCAL AREA RESIDENTS AND POLICE STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED IN DENSE FOG WITH OCCASIONAL BREAKS. THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO SEMI-LEVEL TERRAIN ABOUT 2 MILES NORTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSTS REVEALED 2.1 MG/KG OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE PILOT'S LIVER. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WAS LOCATED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD METHAMPHETAMINE IN HIS BLOOD.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:37 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 210
Tail NumberN6558X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMelvin C Bingham
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-E · Reciprocating · 260
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind240° @ 3 kt
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 61 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time08:47
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data