# NTSB LAX82FA134: Cessna 182M, N70939, Lake Hughes, CA, April 11, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 10, 1982, 22:45 local (Apr 11, 1982, 06:45 UTC)
- Place: Lake Hughes, CA
- Coordinates: 34.690265, -118.519889 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6903&lon=-118.5199&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA134

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (cause)
  - weather evaluation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - obscuration (cause)
  - flight into known adverse weather - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REQUESTED THE EN ROUTE WEATHER CONDITIONS AT 1545, 1625, 1732 AND 2150 PST FROM THE BAKERSFIELD FSS. THE PILOT WAS INFORMED, ON EACH OCCASION, THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED; HOWEVER, AT 2213 THE PILOT DEPARTED BAKERSFIELD. NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO RADIO COMMUNICAITONS WITH THE AIRCRAFT AFTER DEPARTURE. THE AIRCRAFT WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED 48 MILES FROM THE DEPARTURE POINT AT THE 4500 FOOT LEVEL OF A RIDGELINE. INVESTIGATIONREVEALED THE WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE PILOT'S ROUTE OF FLIGHT WAS FOR MOUNTAIN TERRAIN OBSCURATION AND THUNDERSTORMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N70939 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259426
- Airframe hours: 6471
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Louis P. Lajoie & Edgar Sanche
- Registered owner: Louis P. Lajoie & Edgar Sanche
- Departed: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Destination: HHR, HAWTHORNE, 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--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 404 total, 30 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 140 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: WJF, 22 nm away

## 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 19820410009329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820410009329A), Apr 10, 1982: Cessna 182M, Lake Hughes, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into side of a mountain. Pilot was advised weather IFR en route with mountain top obscured.

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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