# NTSB LAX82FA171: Cessna 172N, N2996E, El Portal, CA, May 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1982, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: El Portal, CA
- Location: 37.6732° N, 119.7877° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Portal, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6732&lon=-119.7877&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70572
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA171
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70572/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA171

## 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 - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED AT 4,750 FT MSL ON THE EAST SIDE OF A NORTH/SOUTH ORIENTED RIDGE. THE ACFT HAD TRAVELED UPHILL APPROXIMATELY 110 FT ON A 45 DEG SLOPE ON A HEADING OF 236 DEG, COMING TO REST ABOUT 50 FT BELOW THE TOP OF THE RIDGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2996E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2996E-1982-09-24), registration cancelled 1982-09-24, S/N 17271399 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17271399
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Raynaire Aviation
- Registered owner: Larry E. Rayner
- Departed: O22, COLUMBIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Temperature: 154 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 53 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 19820509015439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820509015439A), May 9, 1982: Cessna 172N, Elportal, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Impacted trees and mountainside in near level flight. Mountain tops occasionally obscured in area.

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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