NTSB Identification: LAX84LA237.
The docket is stored on NTSB microfiche number 24319.
Accident occurred Friday, March 30, 1984 in HAPPY CAMP, CA
Aircraft: CESSNA 150M, registration: N9254U
Injuries: 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.WHILE WAITING FOR FOG TO 'BURN OFF,' THE PLT PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT & THEN WAITED FOR ABOUT 45 MIN AT THE END OF THE RWY. HE THEN DECIDED TO TAKEOFF WHILE THE WX WAS STILL IMC. SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF, THE ACFT ENTERED INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS & BEGAN TURNING TO THE LEFT. THE PLT STATED, 'ABOUT THE TIME I WAS STARTING TO GET THINGS SORTED OUT, THE TREES APPEARED OUT OF THE FOG.' HE PULLED BACK ON THE YOKE, BUT THE ACFT HIT TREES & CRASHED. THE PLT STATED THAT HIS DECISION TO TAKEOFF IN IMC WAS INFLUENCED BY HIS WIFE'S FAILING ABILITY TO COPE WITH THEIR SEPARATION DURING HIS NEW JOB & HIS BOSS'S EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS THAT HE DIDN'T WANT ANYONE LATE OR OFF ON THAT DAY. ALSO, THE PLT FELT A NEED TO PROVE TO EVERYONE THAT AN ACFT COULD BE DEPENDABLE TRANSPORTATION.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
FLIGHT INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER..INITIATED..PILOT IN COMMAND
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC..INTENTIONAL..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
OBJECT..TREE(S)
Contributing Factors
OVERCONFIDENCE IN PERSONAL ABILITY..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..LOW CEILING
Contributing Factors
SPATIAL DISORIENTATION..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..FOG
Contributing Factors
WEATHER CONDITION..OBSCURATION
Contributing Factors
LACK OF TOTAL INSTRUMENT TIME..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
SELF-INDUCED PRESSURE..PILOT IN COMMAND
Contributing Factors
PRESSURE INDUCED BY OTHERS..PILOT IN COMMAND
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