Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary LAX90FA180

SALINAS, CA, USA

Aircraft #1

N9993G

CESSNA 172N

Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS CREWMEMBER CONDUCTED A PRE-RACE FLIGHT CHECK OF HIS PROPOSED VFR RACE ROUTE THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. ON THE DAY OF THE RACE THE PILOT ENCOUNTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ALONG HIS ROUTE. HE ADHERED TO HIS ORIGINAL FLIGHT ROUTE AND AFTER CLEARING THE HIGHER TERRAIN BEGAN HIS DESCENT. THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT, UP SLOPE WING, IMPACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT TUMBLED TO A STOP.

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE WITH TERRAIN WHILE ATTEMPTING VISUAL FLIGHT IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS. SELF INDUCED PRESSURE TO ADHERE TO THE PROPOSED FLIGHT ROUTE IN INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WAS A FACTOR.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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