# NTSB LAX82FA078: Cessna 172K, N99WM, Hollister, CA, February 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 13, 1982, 18:00 local (Feb 14, 1982, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Location: 36.8556° N, 121.3995° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Hollister, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8556&lon=-121.3995&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): 71051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA078

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - 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
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT FLEW INTO THE SIDE OF A MOUNTAIN IN LEVEL CRUISE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED DURING WEATHER IN WHICH VFR FLIGHT HAD NOT BEEN RECOMMENDED. CLOUDS WERE OBSCURING THE MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON THE RETURN LEG OF A CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. ACCORDING TO THE AIRCRAFT HEADING AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, THE PILOT HAD TURNED TO A COURSE TO RETURN TO AN AREA WHERE THE WEATHER WAS VFR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99WM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99WM-2005-02-08), registration cancelled 2005-02-08, S/N 17257206, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172K
- Registry model: [Cessna 172K](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172k) (registry code 2072430) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17257206
- Airframe hours: 3084
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: San Jose Flying Jaguars,Inc.
- Registered owner: Thomas Ww. Padlucci
- Departed: C, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Destination: AI, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 265 total, 109 in this make and model, 236 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: 122 °F

## 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 19820213069889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820213069889A), Feb 13, 1982: Cessna 172K, Hollister, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Proceeded VFR into IMC. Aircraft struck rising terrain that was obscured by clouds. VFR flight not recommended.

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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