# NTSB LAX82FA074: Piper PA-34, N8455Y, Near Sonoma, CA, February 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1982, 16:45 local (Feb 14, 1982, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Near Sonoma, CA
- Coordinates: 38.440196, -122.779411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4402&lon=-122.7794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report February 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71931
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA074
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71931/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA074

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PROCEEDED VFR TOWARD A PRIVATE STRIP AFTER AN INSTRUMENT APPROACH TO NAPA COUNTY AIRPORT. THE VISIBILITY WAS NOT GOOD AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A HILLSIDE WHILE EN ROUTE. ABOUT 5 MI NORTH, THE WEATHER AT THE NAPA COUNTY AIRPORT WAS 500 FT OVERCAST, 1.5 MI VISIBILITY WITH FOG AND RAIN, WIND 100 DEG AT 6 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8455Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8455Y-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 34-8233002, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-34
- Registry model: [Piper PA-34-220T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-220t) (registry code 7103420) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-360-series) (registry code 17019, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 82-33002
- Airframe hours: 106
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-360-KB 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley Goldsmith
- Registered owner: Stanley Goldsmith
- Departed: GRASS VALLEY, CA
- Destination: SAN RAFAEL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,000 total, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Dusk
- Wind: 100° at 6 knots
- Temperature: 122 °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 19820213004259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820213004259A), Feb 13, 1982: Piper PA34220T, Sonma, CA, Destroyed. Pilot attempted VFR flight under low ceiling after instrument approach. Aircraft crashed into rising terrain.

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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