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NTSB Report
September 30, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N6422M
Lancaster, CA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 30, 1989
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Lancaster, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N6422M
Operator
West Coast Air Center
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX89FA334
THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF FOR A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT TO CONDUCT A VOR RECEIVER CHECK. HIS CHECK POINT WAS OVER THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE. THE FLIGHT FAILED TO RETURN AND WAS REPORTED MISSING SIX HOURS AFTER ITS TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND EIGHTEEN HOURS LATER, IMPACTED IN THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. WEATHER REPORTS FOR THE TIME FRAME OF THE ACCIDENT NOTED THAT THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S DECISION TO ENTER INTO IMC WHILE FLYING UNDER VFR. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ACCIDENT WERE: LOW CEILINGS, POOR PLANNING AND DECISIONS, FAILURE TO OBTAIN A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING AND NOT PERFORMING A WEATHER EVALUATION.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER TOOK OFF FOR A MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT TO CONDUCT A VOR RECEIVER CHECK. HIS CHECK POINT WAS OVER THE AIRPORT OF DEPARTURE. THE FLIGHT FAILED TO RETURN AND WAS REPORTED MISSING SIX HOURS AFTER ITS TAKEOFF. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND EIGHTEEN HOURS LATER, IMPACTED IN THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES NORTHWEST OF THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. WEATHER REPORTS FOR THE TIME FRAME OF THE ACCIDENT NOTED THAT THE TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:00 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN6422M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWest Coast Air Center
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 37 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 18 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time18:57
Weather SourceWFAC