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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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June 5, 1983 · Cessna 172RG · N4789R

San Clemente, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 5, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
San Clemente, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172RG
Tail Number
N4789R
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FUM06

THE ACFT CRASHED ON SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND DURING A FISH SPOTTING FLT ON A DARK NIGHT. THESE FLTS ARE USUALLY FLOWN AT AN ALT OF 1000-2000 FT AGL. A NAVY WITNESS ON THE ACCIDENT ISLAND SAID THE CEILING WAS ZERO AND THE VISIBILITY ABOUT 200 YARDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE ACFT DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL 1415 HOURS ON JUNE 5. THE PILOT WAS HOSPITALIZED UNTIL JUNE 11 AND DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE IS 1060 FT MSL.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED ON SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND DURING A FISH SPOTTING FLT ON A DARK NIGHT. THESE FLTS ARE USUALLY FLOWN AT AN ALT OF 1000-2000 FT AGL. A NAVY WITNESS ON THE ACCIDENT ISLAND SAID THE CEILING WAS ZERO AND THE VISIBILITY ABOUT 200 YARDS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE ABOUT 40 MINUTES BEFORE THE ESTIMATED TIME OF THE CRASH. THE PILOT WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE ACFT DESTROYED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WAS NOT FOUND UNTIL 1415 HOURS ON JUNE 5. THE PILOT WAS HOSPITALIZED UNTIL JUNE 11 AND DOES NOT REMEMBER THE ACCIDENT. THE ELEVATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE IS 1060 FT MSL.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time21:40 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172RG
Tail NumberN4789R
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-FIA6 · Reciprocating · 180
Seats3

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 32 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
Wind310° @ 7 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingOvercast 1000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time04:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data