FlightFinder
Check my flight
Casualties unknown

Collision with Terrain During Missed Approach with DME Set to Incorrect VOR (N1283S)

Napa, CA, US

On January 7, 1990, a Cessna 182P (registration N1283S) operated by Shieman, David F. was involved in an aviation accident near Napa, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY EXECUTE THE PUBLISHED APPROACH AND MISSED APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH MOUNTAINIOUS TERRAIN. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft collided with mountainous terrain while executing a missed approach. Radar data showed the aircraft was about 4 miles past the missed approach point when the turn began. Examination revealed the DME unit was in internal mode and selected to Concord VOR instead of Scaggs Island VOR.

Accident Sequence

The aircraft was executing an instrument missed approach when it collided with mountainous terrain. Recorded radar data indicated that the aircraft was approximately 4 miles beyond the missed approach point when the turn was initiated. The VOR Runway 6 approach has a minimum descent altitude (MDA) of 620 feet, and the missed approach point is defined as 3.8 DME on the Scaggs Island VOR 050 radial.

Radar data showed the aircraft crossed over the airport while descending through 1,800 feet MSL. The lowest altitude achieved by the aircraft was 900 feet MSL, which occurred just before the missed approach turn was initiated.

Equipment Configuration

The DME unit installed in the aircraft could function in two modes: internal frequency mode and remote mode. In remote mode, the DME provides information from the nav radios. In internal mode, the unit provides information based on the frequency set in its internal memory.

Examination of the DME unit revealed that it was set to the internal mode and was selected to the Concord VOR frequency, not the Scaggs Island VOR frequency.

Controlled flight into terrain

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 7 Jan 1990 Cessna 182P accident near Napa, CA?

An aircraft collided with mountainous terrain while executing a missed approach. Radar data showed the aircraft was about 4 miles past the missed approach point when the turn began. Examination revealed the DME unit was in internal mode and selected to Concord VOR instead of Scaggs Island VOR.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 7 Jan 1990 involved a Cessna 182P, registration N1283S, operated by Shieman, David F., at Napa, CA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO PROPERLY EXECUTE THE PUBLISHED APPROACH AND MISSED APPROACH WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION WITH MOUNTAINIOUS TERRAIN.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X22429. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.