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NTSB Report
May 6, 1989 · Cessna 172 · N6129E
Industry, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 6, 1989
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Industry, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172
Tail Number
N6129E
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA182
A CESSNA 172 COLLIDED WITH THE STATIC ARM OF A 150 FOOT TALL TOWER USED TO SUPPORT POWER TRANSMISSION CABLES. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TRAVELING WESTBOUND PARALLELING A HWY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN AND DESCENDING. THE WEATHER WAS DESCRIBED AS FOGGY WITH AT LEAST 1 MILE VISIBILITY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED TO TURN LEFT ABRUPTLY AS IT STRUCK THE TOWER. THE CABLES AND SUPPORT TOWERS WERE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART AND THE VFR TERMINAL AREA CHART.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO ENSURE OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: DARKNESS, LOW CEILING, FOG, AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS.
Full Narrative
A CESSNA 172 COLLIDED WITH THE STATIC ARM OF A 150 FOOT TALL TOWER USED TO SUPPORT POWER TRANSMISSION CABLES. NIGHT INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS PREVAILED AT THE TIME. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SEEN TRAVELING WESTBOUND PARALLELING A HWY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED MAKING A 180 DEGREE TURN AND DESCENDING. THE WEATHER WAS DESCRIBED AS FOGGY WITH AT LEAST 1 MILE VISIBILITY. THE AIRCRAFT WAS REPORTED TO TURN LEFT ABRUPTLY AS IT STRUCK THE TOWER. THE CABLES AND SUPPORT TOWERS WERE DEPICTED ON THE SECTIONAL AERONAUTICAL CHART AND THE VFR TERMINAL AREA CHART.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:46 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 172
Tail NumberN6129E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-300-A · Reciprocating · 145
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility2 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT