# NTSB LAX82FA226: Cessna 172, N738GF, Granada Hills, CA, June 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1982, 22:40 local (Jun 21, 1982, 05:40 UTC)
- Place: Granada Hills, CA
- Coordinates: 34.289573, -118.500091 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2896&lon=-118.5001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA226
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA226

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, descent
  - climb - inadequate, flight instructor(on ground) (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent
  - became lost/disoriented - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort above v1 - not possible, atc personnel(dep/apch)
  - climb - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT DEPARTED VAN NUYS, CA AT ABOUT 1530 PDT ON A ROUND-ROBIN, CROSS-COUNTRY FLIGHT TO TURLOCK, CA. IT WAS A COMBINATION PERSONAL AND TRAINING FLIGHT. HIS INSTRUCTOR PILOT (CFI) HAD VERBALLY APPROVED THE FLIGHT, BUT DID NOT ENDORSE THE STUDENT'S LOGBOOK. THE STUDENT ARRIVED AT TURLOCK AT ABOUT 1830 PDT. AFTER REFUELING THE PLANE AND HAVING DINNER WITH SOME FRIENDS, HE DEPARTED ON THE RETURN FLIGHT AT ABOUT 2000 PDT. AFTER PASSING NEWHALL PASS, ABOUT 15 MI NORTH OF VAN NUYS AIRPORT, HE OBSERVED AN OVERCAST CLOUD CONDITION; HOWEVER, HE COULD SEE THE VALLEY LIGHTS THROUGH THE OVERCAST. HE RADIOED BURBANK APPROACH CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE. HE STATED HE WAS NOT SURE OF HIS POSITION. BURBANK WAS UNABLE TO RADAR IDENTIFY THE PLANE AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE STUDENT DID NOT ATTEMPT TO PROCEED TO AN ALTERNATE WHERE VFR CONDITIONS EXISTED (AS PREVIOUSLY INSTRUCTED BY HIS CFI). HE TRIED CONTINUING THRU THE OVERCAST AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ON A 20 DEG RISING SLOPE ON A WESTERLY HEADING, IN ABOUT A 15 DEG NOSE UP ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N738GF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N738GF-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 17269961, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269961
- Airframe hours: 2327
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Konski Aviation
- Registered owner: Aircraft Investors
- Departed: C, TURLOCK, CA
- Destination: C, VANNUYS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 35 total, 13 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 136 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820620070099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820620070099A), Jun 20, 1982: Cessna 172N, Northridge, CA, Destroyed. Student on top with IFR at destination flew into a hill after inadequate ATC assistance. Lacked proper endorsements

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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