Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX91FA394

RIALTO, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N6558X

CESSNA 210

Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS PASSENGER DEPARTED THEIR HOME BASE AT 0200 HOURS IN THE MORNING FOR AN HOUR-PLUS FLIGHT TO MEET A FRIEND AT A NON-CONTROLLED AIRPORT. A NEARBY CONTROLLED AIRPORT ATIS WAS REPORTING AN 800 FOOT OVERCAST WITH 2 MILES IN FOG. RADAR DATA INDICATES THE PILOT CIRCLED THE INTENDED AIRPORT AT ABOUT 0330 HOURS WHILE DESCENDING. LOCAL AREA RESIDENTS AND POLICE STATED THE VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED IN DENSE FOG WITH OCCASIONAL BREAKS. THE PILOT DESCENDED INTO SEMI-LEVEL TERRAIN ABOUT 2 MILES NORTH OF THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING. TOXICOLOGICAL ANALYSTS REVEALED 2.1 MG/KG OF METHAMPHETAMINE IN THE PILOT'S LIVER. DRUG PARAPHERNALIA WAS LOCATED AT THE ACCIDENT SITE. THE PASSENGER ALSO HAD METHAMPHETAMINE IN HIS BLOOD.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE WEATHER EVALUATION AND POOR INFLIGHT PLANNING/DECISION. THE PILOT'S IMPAIRMENT DUE TO THE USE OF DRUGS WAS A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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