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NTSB Report
March 19, 1985 · Cessna P210N · N7748K
Mountain Pass, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Mountain Pass, CA
Aircraft
Cessna P210N
Tail Number
N7748K
Operator
Virgil Falldorf
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA182
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DEPARTED INTO A WEATHER FRONT. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. FLT PRECAUTIONS EXISTED FOR ICING, TURBULENCE & MT OBSCURATION. THE RADAR CHART SHOWED LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. THE ACFT WAS ISSUED A CLEARANCE OUT OF THE TCA TO CLIMB & MAINTAIN 6500 FT. THE ACFT WAS LOCATED AFTER IT WAS MISSING FOR 4 DAYS.IT HAD STRUCK A MOUNTAIN AND RESTED AT THE 6800 FT MSL LEVEL. RADAR INFORMATION CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT WAS INBOUND BACK TOWARD ITS POINT OF DEPARTURE.
Full Narrative
THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT DEPARTED INTO A WEATHER FRONT. VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED. FLT PRECAUTIONS EXISTED FOR ICING, TURBULENCE & MT OBSCURATION. THE RADAR CHART SHOWED LIGHT TO MODERATE RAIN WITH ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS. THE ACFT WAS ISSUED A CLEARANCE OUT OF THE TCA TO CLIMB & MAINTAIN 6500 FT. THE ACFT WAS LOCATED AFTER IT WAS MISSING FOR 4 DAYS.IT HAD STRUCK A MOUNTAIN AND RESTED AT THE 6800 FT MSL LEVEL. RADAR INFORMATION CONFIRMED THAT THE ACFT WAS INBOUND BACK TOWARD ITS POINT OF DEPARTURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 PST
Nearest AirportSkyranch Estates (16nm SSE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna P210N
Tail NumberN7748K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorVirgil Falldorf
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-520-P · Reciprocating · 310
Seats6
People & Injuries
Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDaylight
Wind330° @ 26 kt, gusting 32 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 39 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:46
Weather SourceWFAC