# NTSB LAX82FA073: Rockwell 112A, N1433J, Near Los Banos, CA, February 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1982, 16:07 local (Feb 14, 1982, 00:07 UTC)
- Place: Near Los Banos, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA073

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - flight into known adverse weather - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A PREFLIGHT BRIEFING, THE PILOT WAS ADVISED THAT THE MOUNTAINS WERE OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, THE OUTLOOK WAS FOR MARGINAL VFR CEILINGS, AND THE WEATHER CONDITIONS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WERE DETERIORATING FASTER THAN FORCASTED. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AT 1333 PST WITHOUT FILING A FLIGHT PLAN. LATER, THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED PROCEEDING ALONG A HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 100 FT AGL. A WITNESS REPORTED THAT AFTER THE AIRCRAFT PASSED ABOVE HIM, IT MADE A 180 DEG TURN. THE PLANE THEN FLEW INTO A BOX CANYON AREA, ADJACENT TO THE HIGHWAY. AFTER ENTERING THE BOX CANYON, THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN A LEFT TURN WHEN IT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF AN UPWARD SLOPING HILL ABOUT 50 FT BELOW AND ADJACENT TO THE HIGHWAY. THE WITNESS STATED THAT THE PASS (WEST OF THE CRASH SITE) WAS OBSCURED WITH CLOUDS AND THAT THE PREVAILING OVERCAST WAS ABOUT 200 FT AGL. THE SOUNDS FROM THE ENGINE WERE REPORTED AS NORMAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1433J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1433J-1982-09-23), registration cancelled 1982-09-23, S/N 433 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ROCKWELL 112A
- Registry model: [Rockwell International 112A](https://openairdocs.org/model/rockwell-international-112a) (registry code 7630302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 433
- Airframe hours: 1053
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-C1D6 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Douglas B. Scott, Jr.
- Registered owner: James J. Butler, Jr.
- Departed: C, CHINO, CA
- Destination: C, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 562 total, 195 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 200 ft

## 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 19820213004049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820213004049A), Feb 13, 1982: Gulstm 112A, Los Banos, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Clouds blocked further VFR low altitude flight. Struck a canyon wall trying to make a turn around. VFR not advised.

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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