N80274CESSNA 172M 1991-11-10 NTSB Accident Report

Destroyed
Fatal

CESSNA 172M S/N: 17266489

Summary

On November 10, 1991, a Cessna 172M (N80274) was involved in an accident near Carmel Valley, CA. The accident resulted in 3 fatal injuries, 1 serious injury. The aircraft was destroyed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND DURING AN INTENTIONAL LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT BECOMING DISTRACTED WHILE FLYING OVER THE GROUND AND TO HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A CLIMB OR TAKE OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION BY ALTERING HIS COURSE IN A TIMELY MANNER TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE MOUNTAIN.

This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX92FA043. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N80274.

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, November 10, 1991
NTSB Number
LAX92FA043
Location
CARMEL VALLEY, CA
Event ID
20001212X18459
Coordinates
36.389915, -121.650840
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
3
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
4

Probable Cause and Findings

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A SAFE ALTITUDE ABOVE THE GROUND DURING AN INTENTIONAL LOW ALTITUDE FLIGHT IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE PILOT BECOMING DISTRACTED WHILE FLYING OVER THE GROUND AND TO HIS FAILURE TO INITIATE A CLIMB OR TAKE OTHER CORRECTIVE ACTION BY ALTERING HIS COURSE IN A TIMELY MANNER TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE MOUNTAIN.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
CESSNA
Serial Number
17266489
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Model / ICAO
172M C172
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
CLEVERDON WILLIAM T III DBA
Address
C/O WATSONVILLE AIRPORT
Status
Deregistered
City
WATSONVILLE
State / Zip Code
CA 95076
Country
United States

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX92FA043