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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

November 17, 1990 · Cessna 172RG · N5257V

San Clemente, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
San Clemente, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N5257V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX91LA032

THE PILOT WAS FISH SPOTTING FOR A BOAT AT SEA. THE PILOT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR OVER 10 HOURS. THE LAST CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 0300 WHEN THE PILOT GAVE A POSITION REPORT TO THE BOAT AND STATED HE WAS RETURNING TO BASE. THE BOAT CAPTAIN EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM THE PILOT ONE MORE TIME AT ABOUT 0330. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN, AND THE PLANE DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE BASE BY FUEL EXHAUSTION TIME AT 0900. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED MISSING AND A SEARCH WAS STARTED. BY 1100 HOURS THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED BY ANOTHER FISH SPOTTER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF AN ISLAND AT ABOUT 1200 FEET MSL, ON AN APPROXIMATE HEADING TOWARDS HOME BASE.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE PILOTS SELECTION OF IMPROPER CRUISE ALTITUDE WHILE OPERATING UNDER A LOW OVERCAST ON A DARK NIGHT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS FATIGUE AND LACK OF SLEEP.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT WAS FISH SPOTTING FOR A BOAT AT SEA. THE PILOT HAD BEEN AIRBORNE FOR OVER 10 HOURS. THE LAST CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 0300 WHEN THE PILOT GAVE A POSITION REPORT TO THE BOAT AND STATED HE WAS RETURNING TO BASE. THE BOAT CAPTAIN EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM THE PILOT ONE MORE TIME AT ABOUT 0330. THAT DID NOT HAPPEN, AND THE PLANE DID NOT ARRIVE AT THE BASE BY FUEL EXHAUSTION TIME AT 0900. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED MISSING AND A SEARCH WAS STARTED. BY 1100 HOURS THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED BY ANOTHER FISH SPOTTER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF AN ISLAND AT ABOUT 1200 FEET MSL, ON AN APPROXIMATE HEADING TOWARDS HOME BASE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time03:20 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireUnknown
Aircraft ExplosionUnknown

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN5257V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-F1A6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 1500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time03:00
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data