# NTSB LAX82FA071: Beech J35, N8385D, Gilroy, CA, February 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1982, 11:25 local (19:25 UTC)
- Place: Gilroy, CA
- Location: 37.0064° N, 121.5853° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gilroy, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0064&lon=-121.5853&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70832
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA071
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70832/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA071

## 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 - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - uncontrolled
  - flight control,stabilator - overload (contributing factor)
  - flight control,stabilator - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - flight control,stabilator - separation (contributing factor)
  - wing - overload (contributing factor)
  - wing - failure,total (contributing factor)
  - wing - separation (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ADVISED DURING THE WX BRIEFING THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMEDED ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS & THAT SAN JOSE WAS REPORTING 3,000 FT SCATTERED; 4,000 FT BROKEN; 9,000 FT OVERCAST WITH 10 MI VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT RAIN. APPROXIMATELY 36 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING OUT OF THE CLOUDS & A WING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. WITNESSES STATED THAT LIGHT RAIN & FOG EXISTED IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN & WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 1-1/2 MI IN DIAMETER. THE LEFT WING & BOTH STABILATORS HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8385D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8385D-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N D-5489, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH J35
- Registry model: [Beech J35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-j35) (registry code 1151522) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental I0-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-i0-470-series) (registry code 17027, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: D5489
- Airframe hours: 5174
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-C 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary W. Niva
- Registered owner: Gary W. Niva
- Departed: SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: LAS VEGAS, NV
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 164 total, 13 in this make and model, 115 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 13° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 127 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820213004019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820213004019A), Feb 13, 1982: Beech J35, Gilroy, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft was observed descending out of clouds and the left wing had separated from aircraft.

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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