# NTSB LAX82FA109: Cessna 340A, N98546, 12 N.E. Burbank, CA, March 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 16, 1982, 23:37 local (Mar 17, 1982, 07:37 UTC)
- Place: 12 N.E. Burbank, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA109

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing - ice (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT WAS CLEARED TO PROCEED ON AN IFR FLIGHT PLAN. AFTER BEING CLEARED TO 15,000 FT MSL, HE REPORTED HAVING TROUBLE MAINTAINING HIS AIRSPEED AND SUBSEQUENTLY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, RADAR CONTACT WAS LOST. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED AT NIGHT NEAR THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN RIDGE AT ABOUT 4700 FT MSL. THE WRECKAGE WAS DEMOLISHED AND SCATTERED OVER A LARGE AREA, BUT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AN INFLIGHT BREAKUP. SOME PARTS OF THE WRECKAGE (INCLUDING THE RIGHT ENGINE) WERE NOT FOUND ON THE SNOW COVERED TERRAIN. THE WEATHER FORECAST CALLED FOR: THUNDERSTORMS IN LINES, MOUNTAINS OBSCURED, MODERATE AND OCCASIONALLY SEVERE TURBULENCE BELOW 20,000 FT, OCCASIONAL MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS AND IN PRECIPITATION FROM THE FREEZING LEVEL (3000 FT) TO 20,000 FT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR FLIGHT IN KNOWN ICING CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98546](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98546-2013-05-30), registration cancelled 2013-05-30, S/N 340A0026, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 026
- Airframe hours: 1076
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520N 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bacchus Aviation
- Registered owner: Albert A. Green
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 759 total, 341 in this make and model, 637 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark

## 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 19820316004179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820316004179A), Mar 16, 1982: Cessna 340A, Burbank, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Lost control on climb out in area of thunderstorms. Broadcast mayday. Struck mountainside. High blood alcohol.

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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