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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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November 23, 1984 · Cessna 172M · N9589V

Lake Isabella, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 23, 1984
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Location
Lake Isabella, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172M
Tail Number
N9589V
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA048

ACFT DEPARTED ARPT IN MOUNTAIN VALLEY (ELEV 2,614) GENERALLY DIRECT TOWARD A SADDLE PASS (ELEV 6,500) ABOUT 1 MI NW & ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE VALLEY. TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS AROUND THE VALLEY AVERAGE ABOUT 7,000 FT MSL. FLT ENCOUNTERED UPDRAFTS DURING CLIMB UNTIL REACHING 6,800 FT MSL NEAR THE PASS WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT/WINDSHEAR. PLT STATED THAT ACFT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO EVEN FULL POWER APPLICATION & DESCENT COULD NOT BE ARRESTED PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH TREES. NO WX BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED PRIOR TO FLT. STRONG WINDS ALOFT AT 6 & 9 THOUSAND FT WERE FORECAST, ALONG WITH DOWNDRAFTS, WINDSHEARS & MODERATE TURBULENCE IN MOUNTAIN AREAS.

Full Narrative

ACFT DEPARTED ARPT IN MOUNTAIN VALLEY (ELEV 2,614) GENERALLY DIRECT TOWARD A SADDLE PASS (ELEV 6,500) ABOUT 1 MI NW & ON THE LEE SIDE OF THE VALLEY. TOPS OF THE MOUNTAINS AROUND THE VALLEY AVERAGE ABOUT 7,000 FT MSL. FLT ENCOUNTERED UPDRAFTS DURING CLIMB UNTIL REACHING 6,800 FT MSL NEAR THE PASS WHEN IT EXPERIENCED A STRONG DOWNDRAFT/WINDSHEAR. PLT STATED THAT ACFT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO EVEN FULL POWER APPLICATION & DESCENT COULD NOT BE ARRESTED PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH TREES. NO WX BRIEFING WAS OBTAINED PRIOR TO FLT. STRONG WINDS ALOFT AT 6 & 9 THOUSAND FT WERE FORECAST, ALONG WITH DOWNDRAFTS, WINDSHEARS & MODERATE TURBULENCE IN MOUNTAIN AREAS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 PST
Nearest AirportKern Valley (7nm W)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172M
Tail NumberN9589V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-E2D · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 fatalities, 1 serious injury)
Fatal2
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 64 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:50
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data