# NTSB LAX82FA070: Cessna 172N, N733ZR, Santa Ysabel, CA, February 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 8, 1982, 14:48 local (22:48 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ysabel, CA
- Coordinates: 33.180652, -116.730178 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1807&lon=-116.7302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA070
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA070

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - self-induced pressure, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DRG WX BRIEFINGS AT 1024 & 1247 THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED DUE TO LOW CEILINGS & ICING CONDITIONS. AT ABOUT 1418 THE ACFT DEPARTED. AT 1439 THE PLT CONTACTED FLIGHT WATCH (FW) & REPORTED PICKING UP LEADING EDGE ICE 6.4 MI EAST OF THE JULIAN VOR. AT 1443 THE PLT REQUESTED A HEADING BACK TO PALOMAR. FW ADVISED THE PLT THAT FW DOES NOT HAVE DF STEER CAPABILITY & TO CONTACT SAN DIEGO RADIO. THIS TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ACKNOWLEDGED & THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS. THE CRASH SITE ELEVATION WAS ABOUT 3,500 FT MSL. THE 1456 SURFACE WX OBSERVATION AT GILLESPIE FLD, EL CAJON, CA, LOCATED ABOUT 25 NM SW OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED A BROKEN CLOUD CEILING EQUATING TO 1,885 FT MSL. THE PLT'S FIANCE STATED THAT THE PLT WAS ANXIOUS TO RETURN TO ALBUQUERQUE TO CLEAR UP HIS BUSINESS AFFAIRS & RETURN FOR THEIR PENDING MARRIAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N733ZR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733ZR-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17268683, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17268683
- Airframe hours: 392
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Daniel W Capehart
- Registered owner: Daniel W Capehart
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA
- Destination: ABQ, ALBUQUERQUE, NM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 32 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SEE, 25 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 19820208003999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820208003999A), Feb 8, 1982: Cessna 172N, Santa Ysabel, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed in mountainous area in IMC. There were no witnesses. Pilot had reported previous icing on airframe

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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