# NTSB LAX82FA164: Cessna 172, N8313E, Upper Lake, CA, May 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 8, 1982, 11:38 local (18:38 UTC)
- Place: Upper Lake, CA
- Coordinates: 39.259471, -122.960975 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2595&lon=-122.9610&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72900
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72900/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA164

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - performed, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT ROLLING RIGHT & LEFT DURING THE FINAL APPROACH. THE ACFT DRIFTED TO THE RIGHT & POWER WAS APPLIED PRIOR TO THE COLLISION WITH THE TREES. NW WINDS IN EXCESS OF 25K PREVAILED. A CFI WITNESS STATED THAT IT APPEARED THE PLT WAS NOT CORRECTING FOR DRIFT PROPERLY. A PLT WHO WAS CIRCLING THE ARPT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT REPORTED THAT THE ACFT BANKED SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT PRIOR TO STRIKING THE TREES. HE FURTHER STATED THAT DURING HIS LANDING ATTEMPT THE WINDS WERE SUCH THAT HE COULD NOT NEGOTIATE A LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8313E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17272186
- Airframe hours: 434
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Buchanan Flying Club
- Registered owner: Cecil Buckley
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: 047, HENDERSONVILLE, NC
- Airport: 1Q5, Gravelly Valley, runway 1, 5,300 × 237 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 167 total, 32 in this make and model, 124 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 25 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 144 °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 19820508014359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820508014359A), May 8, 1982: Cessna 172N, Upper Lake, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Struck trees and stalled after drifting right of runway on approach. Unskilled pilot too low and slow. Gusty winds.

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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