# NTSB LAX82FA297: Cessna 172, N733HV, Lompoc, CA, August 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 13, 1982, 18:35 local (Aug 14, 1982, 01:35 UTC)
- Place: Lompoc, CA
- Coordinates: 34.599315, -120.390525 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5993&lon=-120.3905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA297

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, approach
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
- Midair collision, takeoff - initial climb
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

A STUDENT PLT IN A CESSNA 152, N4603L, WAS DEPARTING FROM RWY 25 WHILE CESSNA 172, N733HV, WAS ARRIVING FROM THE NORTH. AFTER TAKING OFF, THE STUDENT MADE A RIGHT CLIMBING TURN TOWARD THE NORTH, THEN BEGAN ANOTHER TURN TO THE EAST IN ACCORDANCE WITH PUBLISHED VFR PROCEDURES. WHILE THE CESSNA 152 WAS IN THE TURN & CLIMBING THRU 800 TO 900 FT MSL, IT & THE CESSNA 172 COLLIDED. RADAR INFO SHOWED THAT THE 172 WAS ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. THERE WAS NO FULL TIME UNICOM OPERATOR, BUT A PLT WAITING AT THE UNICOM STATION SAID HE HEARD THE CESSNA 172 PLT CALL TURNING DOWNWIND FOR RWY 25. AFTER COLLIDING, THE 152 PLT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING ON ROUGH TERRAIN, BUT THE CESSNA 172 WENT OUT OF CONTROL & IMPACTED IN A STEEP DESCENT. ABOUT 8 FT OF THE 172'S RIGHT WING HAD SEPARATED & WAS FOUND JAMMED BENEATH THE 152'S LEFT WING & STRUT. THE COLLISION OCCURRED APRX 2 MI NORTH OF THE ARPT. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE 152 CONVERGED ON THE 172 FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE SUN. THE 152 PLT DID NOT SEE THE 172 & BELIEVED THE 172 PLT WAS NOT USING A 45 DEG ENTRY.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N733HV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N733HV-2014-11-17), registration cancelled 2014-11-17, S/N 17268315, built 1976 (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
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John D. Martin
- Registered owner: John D. Martin
- Departed: VISILIA, CA
- Destination: LOMPOC, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: LPC, runway 25, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N4603L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4603L-1983-05-26), registration cancelled 1983-05-26, S/N 15284192, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Pioneer Aviation
- Registered owner: Pioneer Aviation
- Departed: LPC, LOMPOC, CA
- Destination: VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: LPC, runway 25, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N733HV; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.
- Pilot, aircraft N4603L; age 29; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model, 10 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820813070922A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820813070922A), Aug 13, 1982: Cessna 172N, Lompoc, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. While entering pattern was struck by a 152, N4603L, that was climbing out to leave the pattern. Sun obscuration.
- [Accident 19820813070921A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820813070921A), Aug 13, 1982: Cessna 152, Lompoc, CA, Substantial damage. While climbing out to leave pattern, struck a descending 172, N733HV, that was inbound to land. Did not use radio.

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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