# NTSB LAX82DVA10: Boeing A75, N59737, Near Bakersfiel, CA, January 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 6, 1982, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Near Bakersfiel, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 6, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71844
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DVA10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71844/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DVA10

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS ENROUTE TO LAS VEGAS, NEVADA FOR A BANNER TOWING OPERATION. AS HE PROCEEDED EASTBOUND ALONG HIGHWAY 58, HE ENCOUNTERED FOG THAT WAS FORMING IN THE TEHACHAPI FOOTHILLS. HE INITIATED A 180 DEGREE TURN TO GO BACK, BUT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED IFR CONDITIONS. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE BECAME SPATIALLY DISORIENTED AND DESCENDED AS SLOWLY AS HE COULD, BUT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE SIDE OF A HILL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N59737 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-4828
- Airframe hours: 2100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: William E. Smith
- Registered owner: William E. Smith
- Departed: DELANO, CA
- Destination: LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, airline transport; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 12,765 total, 195 in this make and model, 6,620 as pilot in command, 183 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: 100 ft
- Temperature: 104 °F

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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