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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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February 15, 1987 · Cessna 180J · N52184

Newhall, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 15, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Newhall, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 180J
Tail Number
N52184
Operator
Francis C Bernadic
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA117

BASED ON AVAILABLE EVIDENCE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0700 AND 0830 HRS DURING A PERIOD OF LOW CEILINGS AND RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES IN THE AREA WHERE THE ACCD TOOK PLACE. THE ACCD SITE IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAIN PASS AREA BETWEEN TWO VALLEYS. THE DEPT POINT, TIME, ROUTE OF FLT, AND DEST OF THE FLT ARE UNK. A WHITE POWDERY SUBSTANCE, LATER IDENTIFIED AS METHAMPHETIMINE, WAS FOUND WIDELY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE CABIN AREA AND THE SORROUNDING GROUND AT THE ACCD SITE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE 46 DEGREE SLOPE OF THE MOUNTAIN IN A HIGH SPEED DESCENT AT AN ANGLE OF ABT 45 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE ACFT HAD NOT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN TWO YEARS AND THE LAST DOCUMENTED BFR FOR THE PLT WAS IN AUGUST OF 1983. THE RESULTS OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS WERE NEGATIVE FOR ALCOHOL AND ALL DRUG SUBSTANCES.

Full Narrative

BASED ON AVAILABLE EVIDENCE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BETWEEN 0700 AND 0830 HRS DURING A PERIOD OF LOW CEILINGS AND RESTRICTED VISIBILITIES IN THE AREA WHERE THE ACCD TOOK PLACE. THE ACCD SITE IS LOCATED IN A MOUNTAIN PASS AREA BETWEEN TWO VALLEYS. THE DEPT POINT, TIME, ROUTE OF FLT, AND DEST OF THE FLT ARE UNK. A WHITE POWDERY SUBSTANCE, LATER IDENTIFIED AS METHAMPHETIMINE, WAS FOUND WIDELY DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE CABIN AREA AND THE SORROUNDING GROUND AT THE ACCD SITE. EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE INDICATED THAT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE 46 DEGREE SLOPE OF THE MOUNTAIN IN A HIGH SPEED DESCENT AT AN ANGLE OF ABT 45 DEGREES NOSE DOWN. NO PREIMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES WERE IDENTIFIED DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE ACFT HAD NOT HAD AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN TWO YEARS AND THE LAST DOCUMENTED BFR FOR THE PLT WAS IN AUGUST OF 1983. THE RESULTS OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS WERE NEGATIVE FOR ALCOHOL AND ALL DRUG SUBSTANCES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:20 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 180J
Tail NumberN52184
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorFrancis C Bernadic
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-S · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 36 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 8000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 48
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data