# NTSB LAX82FA045: Cessna 182N, N92387, Escondido, CA, January 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 20, 1982, 17:23 local (Jan 21, 1982, 01:23 UTC)
- Place: Escondido, CA
- Coordinates: 32.960929, -117.249893 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9609&lon=-117.2499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA045

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE PILOT RECEIVED A COMPLETE WEATHER BRIEFING. THE BRIEFER WARNED HIM THAT THE WEATHER SYSTEM IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND ADVISED HIM SEVERAL TIMES NOT TO GO. THE BRIEFING INCLUDED NUMEROUS PILOT REPORTS THAT CONFIRMED THE FORECAST OF ICING AND TURBULENCE. THE PILOT FILED AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN AND DEPARTED IN AN AIRCRAFT THAT WAS NOT CERTIFICATED FOR FLIGHT IN ICING CONDITIONS. RADAR CONTACT WITH THE AIRCRAFT WAS LOST WHILE IT WAS DESCENDING TO INTERCEPT THE ILS. THE PLANE WAS FOUND ON 1/21/82 WHERE IT HAD CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN. IT WAS LOCATED ABOUT 300 FT FROM WHERE IT HAD STRUCK THE TOPS OF TREES. INTERVIEWS WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS REVEALED THAT THE WEATHER WAS SEVERE WITH WIND AND RAIN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE ELEVATION OF THE TREES WAS ABOUT 3380 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92387](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92387-1982-09-14), registration cancelled 1982-09-14, S/N 18260181, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60181
- Airframe hours: 3604
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John T. Moore
- Registered owner: John T. Moore
- Departed: CRQ, IMPERIAL, CA
- Destination: IPL, CARLSBAD, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,803 total, 32 in this make and model, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 104 °F
- Observed at: 4 nm away

## 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 19820120001689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820120001689A), Jan 20, 1982: Cessna 182N, Escondido, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck trees on a mountainside in area of severe turbulence and icing. Was warned not to attempt the flight.

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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