Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX92FA202

PINYON PINES, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N67545

CESSNA 152

Analysis

THE PILOT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BUILDING TIME TO ENABLE HIM TO TAKE HIS COMMERCIAL PILOT'S EXAM. HE AND A PASSENGER FLEW INTO A CANYON SURROUNDED BY RISING TERRAIN AND MOUNTAINS. THE SURVIVING PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THEY WERE FLYING 'TOO LOW' AND HE TOLD THE PILOT '...LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.' THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TRYING. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE AND ITS ENGINE WERE OPERATING 'FINE.' HE SAID THAT WEATHER WAS NO FACTOR. THE PILOT'S TOXICOLOGICAL TEST WAS POSITIVE FOR 0.028 UG/ML TETRAHYDROCANNABINOL CARBOXYLIC ACID (MARIHUANA) DETECTED IN THE BLOOD.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE WHILE MANEUVERING IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN WHICH RESULTED IN GETTING TRAPPED IN A BOX CANYON, RESULTING IN A STALL DUE TO INADEQUATE AIRSPEED. FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOT'S DECISION TO FLY INTO MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AT A LOW ALTITUDE, HIS IMPAIRMENT DUE TO DRUGS, AND THE TERRAIN CONDITIONS.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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