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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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January 1, 1987 · Cessna 152 · N5540H

San Dimas, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 1, 1987
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
San Dimas, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N5540H
Operator
King Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX87LA073

WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE AREA 2 TIMES AT APRX 200' BEFORE IT HIT TREES & CRASHED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CAME TO REST AGAINST A RESIDENCE WHERE THE PLT'S SISTER LIVED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG STARTED 'SPUTTERING,' SO HE APPLIED CARB HEAT, BUT IT CONTD TO LOSE POWER. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND & WITNESSES RPRTD THE ENG WAS RUNNING NORMALLY BFR IMPACT. THE PAX RPRTD THEY HAD BEEN AT A PARTY THE NGT BFR & HAD BEEN DRINKING & SMOKING 'KOOLS' (COMMON STREET NAME FOR CIGARETTES DIPPED IN PHENCYLIDINE (PCP)). BASED ON THEIR OBSERVATIONS, SHERIFF DEPUTIES BELIEVED THE PLT WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PCP. THEY NOTED PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF DRY MOUTH, DIFFICULTY WITH SPEECH, RIGID BODY MOVEMENTS, HORIZONTAL NYSTAGMUS TO THE EYES & FAINT PCP ODOR EMITTING FROM THE PLT'S BREATH & PERSON.THE DEPUTIES REQUESTED THAT THE PLT SUBMIT TO BLOOD OR URINE SAMPLES FOR DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL USE; HOWEVER, HE REFUSED.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES RPRTD THE ACFT HAD CIRCLED THE AREA 2 TIMES AT APRX 200' BEFORE IT HIT TREES & CRASHED. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT CAME TO REST AGAINST A RESIDENCE WHERE THE PLT'S SISTER LIVED. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ENG STARTED 'SPUTTERING,' SO HE APPLIED CARB HEAT, BUT IT CONTD TO LOSE POWER. HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND & WITNESSES RPRTD THE ENG WAS RUNNING NORMALLY BFR IMPACT. THE PAX RPRTD THEY HAD BEEN AT A PARTY THE NGT BFR & HAD BEEN DRINKING & SMOKING 'KOOLS' (COMMON STREET NAME FOR CIGARETTES DIPPED IN PHENCYLIDINE (PCP)). BASED ON THEIR OBSERVATIONS, SHERIFF DEPUTIES BELIEVED THE PLT WAS UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PCP. THEY NOTED PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS OF DRY MOUTH, DIFFICULTY WITH SPEECH, RIGID BODY MOVEMENTS, HORIZONTAL NYSTAGMUS TO THE EYES & FAINT PCP ODOR EMITTING FROM THE PLT'S BREATH & PERSON.THE DEPUTIES REQUESTED THAT THE PLT SUBMIT TO BLOOD OR URINE SAMPLES FOR DRUG AND/OR ALCOHOL USE; HOWEVER, HE REFUSED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 PST
Nearest AirportBRACKETT (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN5540H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorKing Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 45 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind140° @ 4 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data