# NTSB LAX82FA040: Grumman AA-5B, N28912, 10 Nm W Lee Vin, CA, January 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 3, 1982, 17:28 local (Jan 4, 1982, 01:28 UTC)
- Place: 10 Nm W Lee Vin, CA
- Coordinates: 37.989341, -119.109756 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9893&lon=-119.1098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - snow covered (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON THE GROUND THE PILOT WAS REFUSED A ROUTE OVER THE SIERRA MOUNTAINS, AFTER DEPARTURE THE PILOT REQUESTED AND WAS GIVEN A CHANGE IN HIS FLIGHT PLAN THAT CLEARED HIM OVER THE MOUNTAINS. AT 1654 THE PILOT ADVISED OAKLAND CENTER THAT HE WAS CLIMBING THROUGH 14300 MSL. THE MEA WAS 15100 MSL. AT 1712 THE PILOT STATED HE HAD ENCOUNTERED STRONG UP AND DOWNDRAFTS BUT WAS VFR. JUST BEFORE CENTER LOST RADAR CONTACT THE PILOT ADVISED HE WAS BELOW MEA. THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOCATED 5 DAYS LATER CLOSE TO THE TOP OF A 12590 FOOT MOUNTAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28912](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28912-1982-10-06), registration cancelled 1982-10-06, S/N AA5B-0886, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN AA-5B
- Registry model: [Grumman American Avn. AA-5B](https://openairdocs.org/model/grumman-american-avn-aa-5b) (registry code 3960105) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0886
- Airframe hours: 654
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ronald James Vaughan
- Registered owner: Ronald James Vaughan
- Departed: MAMMOTH LAKES, CA
- Destination: CONCORD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 507 total, 343 in this make and model, 372 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820103000179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820103000179A), Jan 3, 1982: Grumav AA5B, Lee Vining, CA, Destroyed. During IFR flight over mountainous terrain, aircraft crashed due to severe turbulence.

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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