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NTSB Report
April 10, 1985 · Cessna 177 · N2907X
Fallbrook, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fallbrook, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 177
Tail Number
N2907X
Operator
Carl D Luke
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA197
ALTHOUGH AWARE OF EXISTING IMC CONDITIONS AND REDUCED LIGHTING WITH THE SETTING OF THE SUN, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL APCH TO HIS HOME ARPT WHICH DID NOT HAVE AN APPROVED APCH. HIS REMARKS TO MCCLELLEN-PALOMAR TWR, REGARDING THE USE OF THE ON-BOARD LORAN RECEIVER, AND CHARTS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE DEPICTING COORDINATES OF HIS HOME ARPT INDICATE THE PLT WAS PROBABLY USING THE LORAN TO GET A FIX ON THE ARPT. THE LOCATION OF THE LORAN DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REQUIRED THE PLT'S FLT-INSTRUMENT SCAN PATTERN TO BE INCREASED TO THE RIGHT OF THE NORMAL PATTERN. THE INCREASED SCAN PATTERN PROBABLY RESULTED IN THE DIVERSION OF THE PLT'S ATTENTION FROM THE FLT INSTRUMENTS, ALLOWING THE ACFT TO DESCEND INTO TREES. WITNESSES STATED DENSE FOG WAS PRESENT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Full Narrative
ALTHOUGH AWARE OF EXISTING IMC CONDITIONS AND REDUCED LIGHTING WITH THE SETTING OF THE SUN, THE PLT ATTEMPTED A VISUAL APCH TO HIS HOME ARPT WHICH DID NOT HAVE AN APPROVED APCH. HIS REMARKS TO MCCLELLEN-PALOMAR TWR, REGARDING THE USE OF THE ON-BOARD LORAN RECEIVER, AND CHARTS FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE DEPICTING COORDINATES OF HIS HOME ARPT INDICATE THE PLT WAS PROBABLY USING THE LORAN TO GET A FIX ON THE ARPT. THE LOCATION OF THE LORAN DISPLAY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REQUIRED THE PLT'S FLT-INSTRUMENT SCAN PATTERN TO BE INCREASED TO THE RIGHT OF THE NORMAL PATTERN. THE INCREASED SCAN PATTERN PROBABLY RESULTED IN THE DIVERSION OF THE PLT'S ATTENTION FROM THE FLT INSTRUMENTS, ALLOWING THE ACFT TO DESCEND INTO TREES. WITNESSES STATED DENSE FOG WAS PRESENT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:47 PST
Nearest AirportFallbrook Airpark (25nm W)
Runway0
Runway Length2160 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 177
Tail NumberN2907X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorCarl D Luke
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsIMC
LightDusk
Wind210° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 800 ft
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time02:00
Weather SourceWFAC