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NTSB Report
December 28, 1984 · Cessna 182Q · N735MJ
Upland, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 28, 1984
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Upland, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182Q
Tail Number
N735MJ
Operator
West Valley Flying Club
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FA088
THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT & 3 PAX DEPARTED PALO ALTO FOR AN INTENDED 3-HOUR LONG DAY VFR FLT TO SANTA ANA, CA. THE FINAL DESTINATION WAS TO BE MX. THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN AT NIGHT OR ON INSTRUMENTS IN OVER 6 YRS. HE ELECTED TO DELAY DEPARTING PAO UNTIL 1611 PST DUE TO FORECAST MARGINAL WEATHER. THE PLT DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ATC OR FSS WHILE EN ROUTE & UPON ARRIVAL IN SOUTHERN CA, AT NIGHT, MARGINAL VFR WX WAS ENCOUNTERED. A LOCALIZED AREA OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EXISTED OVER UPLAND, APRX 28 MILES NORTH OF SNA. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CIRCLE CABLE ARPT. WHEN SOUTH OF THE ARPT AND FLYING ON A NORTHERLY HEADING AT CRUISE SPEED, IT DESCENDED AND CRASHED INTO AN UNPOPULATES AND DARK AREA OF LEVEL TERRAIN.
Full Narrative
THE INSTRUMENT RATED PLT & 3 PAX DEPARTED PALO ALTO FOR AN INTENDED 3-HOUR LONG DAY VFR FLT TO SANTA ANA, CA. THE FINAL DESTINATION WAS TO BE MX. THE PLT HAD NOT FLOWN AT NIGHT OR ON INSTRUMENTS IN OVER 6 YRS. HE ELECTED TO DELAY DEPARTING PAO UNTIL 1611 PST DUE TO FORECAST MARGINAL WEATHER. THE PLT DID NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ATC OR FSS WHILE EN ROUTE & UPON ARRIVAL IN SOUTHERN CA, AT NIGHT, MARGINAL VFR WX WAS ENCOUNTERED. A LOCALIZED AREA OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN EXISTED OVER UPLAND, APRX 28 MILES NORTH OF SNA. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO CIRCLE CABLE ARPT. WHEN SOUTH OF THE ARPT AND FLYING ON A NORTHERLY HEADING AT CRUISE SPEED, IT DESCENDED AND CRASHED INTO AN UNPOPULATES AND DARK AREA OF LEVEL TERRAIN.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 PST
Nearest Airport0nm S
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182Q
Tail NumberN735MJ
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWest Valley Flying Club
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-U(2) · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsUnknown
LightDark Night
Wind80° @ 11 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point52 / 48
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time03:45
Weather SourceWIT