Globe GC-1B accident near Cucamonga, California, April 5, 1992
On April 5, 1992 at about 8:31 pm local time, a Globe GC-1B, registered N3319K, was destroyed in an accident near Cucamonga, California. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE TO AVOID COLLIDING INTO THE RISING TERRAIN OF THE BOX CANYON. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT HAVING BEEN DISTRACTED BY AN ENGINE GAGE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 5, 1992 · about 8:31 pm local time
- Place
- Cucamonga, California
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1B · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3319K · no longer on the register · serial 1312
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT, AND A FRIEND FLYING IN A SECOND SIMILAR MODEL AIRPLANE WHICH ALSO CRASHED, PROCEEDED UP A BOX CANYON. DURING THE LOOSE FORMATION FLIGHT THE PILOT WAS IN THE LEAD. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE CANYON AND HE INTENTIONALLY DESCENDED TO 250 FEET AGL WHILE PROCEEDING UP THE CANYON. THE PILOT STATED HE BECAME DISTRACTED WHEN AN ENGINE CYLINDER'S EGT GAGE BEGAN FLUCTUATING. THEREAFTER, HE WAS TOO FAR INTO THE CANYON TO TURN AROUND, AND HE COLLIDED WITH THE SIDE OF THE CANYON. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND WITH THE ENGINE WHICH WAS FIRE DAMAGED. (SEE REPORT NUMBER LAX92FA169 FOR DETAILS OF THE OTHER AIRPLANE'S CRASH.)
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 303 hours in all; 301 in this make and model; 60 in the last 90 days; 21 in the last 30 days; 260 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 1, 1991; 150 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,970 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360-C1D6 (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: L12 Redlands CA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: CCB Upland CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:51 pm from ONT, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.