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NTSB Report
November 17, 1988 · Cessna 172N · N6256F
Fremont, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Fremont, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N6256F
Operator
Squadron Two Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA042
THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PLT REPORTEDLY WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED ABOUT HIS EMPLOYMENT & PERSONAL LIFE SITUATION. HE LOVED FLYING & FLEW TO RELEASE ANXIETY. NEAR MIDNIGHT THE PLT DEPARTED FOR A SHORT X-C FLIGHT DURING WHICH HE BECAME DISORIENTED. THE PLT REQUESTED & RECEIVED RADAR VECTORS BACK TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. CONTROLLERS SAID THAT THE PILOT SOUNDED IRRATIONAL AND THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FAIL TO HOLD HEADING & ALTITUDE. THE ACFT ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, COMING TO REST IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSEDOWN PITCH ATTITUDE. ON THE PILOT'S APPLICATION FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HE HAD DENIED ANY RECORD OF TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME OF HIS APLICATION HE WAS ON PROBATION & HAD A HISTORY OF CONVICTIONS FOR DRUNK DRIVING. THE TOX REPORT INDICATED THAT THE PILOT'S VITREOUS FLUID ETHANOL LEVEL WAS 0.23 PERCENT.
Full Narrative
THE NEWLY CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PLT REPORTEDLY WAS EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED ABOUT HIS EMPLOYMENT & PERSONAL LIFE SITUATION. HE LOVED FLYING & FLEW TO RELEASE ANXIETY. NEAR MIDNIGHT THE PLT DEPARTED FOR A SHORT X-C FLIGHT DURING WHICH HE BECAME DISORIENTED. THE PLT REQUESTED & RECEIVED RADAR VECTORS BACK TO HIS DEPARTURE AIRPORT. CONTROLLERS SAID THAT THE PILOT SOUNDED IRRATIONAL AND THEY OBSERVED THE ACFT FAIL TO HOLD HEADING & ALTITUDE. THE ACFT ENTERED A RAPID DESCENT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, COMING TO REST IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSEDOWN PITCH ATTITUDE. ON THE PILOT'S APPLICATION FOR A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE HE HAD DENIED ANY RECORD OF TRAFFIC CONVICTIONS. HOWEVER, AT THE TIME OF HIS APLICATION HE WAS ON PROBATION & HAD A HISTORY OF CONVICTIONS FOR DRUNK DRIVING. THE TOX REPORT INDICATED THAT THE PILOT'S VITREOUS FLUID ETHANOL LEVEL WAS 0.23 PERCENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time00:58 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN6256F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorSquadron Two Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time07:45
Weather SourceWFAC