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NTSB Report
April 8, 1990 · Cessna 172E · N39155
Santa Paula, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 8, 1990
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Santa Paula, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172E
Tail Number
N39155
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX90FA281
VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE SANTA PAULA, CA AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. BROKEN CLOUDS WITH THE BASES AT 4,000 FT MSL AND TOPS BETWEEN 7,000 FT AND 8,000 FT MSL EXITED OVER THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT FLEW NORTH-NORTHEAST,. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO REACH ITS DESTINATION AND AN AIR SEARCH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND ON AUGUST 10, 1990. THE WRECKAGE EXAM DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE 4,100 FT LEVEL OF A 4,200 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNING LEFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME/ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION AND HIS DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION IN EXECUTING A 180 DEGREE TURN. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT ENCOUNTER WITH WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED IN THE VICINITY OF THE SANTA PAULA, CA AIRPORT WHEN THE PILOT DEPARTED ON THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. BROKEN CLOUDS WITH THE BASES AT 4,000 FT MSL AND TOPS BETWEEN 7,000 FT AND 8,000 FT MSL EXITED OVER THE MOUNTAINOUS AREA NORTH OF THE AIRPORT. AFTER DEPARTING THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT FLEW NORTH-NORTHEAST,. THE AIRPLANE FAILED TO REACH ITS DESTINATION AND AN AIR SEARCH WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INITIATED. THE AIRPLANE WAS FOUND ON AUGUST 10, 1990. THE WRECKAGE EXAM DISCLOSED THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK THE 4,100 FT LEVEL OF A 4,200 FT MOUNTAIN RIDGE. THE AIRPLANE WAS TURNING LEFT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AIRFRAME/ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172E
Tail NumberN39155
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-D · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 61 · Unknown
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingBroken clouds 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0