# NTSB LAX82FUM06: Navion A, N4520K, Ramona, CA, January 6, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1982, 18:00 local (Jan 6, 1982, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.069252, -116.83023 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0693&lon=-116.8302&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 5, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72338
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUM06
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72338/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUM06

## 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
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE FINAL LEG OF A "SHARE THE EXPENSES" COMMUTING FLIGHT FROM HAWTHORNE TO ROMONA, CA, WHEN THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE SOUTHWEST FACE OF MOUNT WOODSON. MARGINAL VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED OVER THE ROUTE OF FLIGHT. DURING THE FLIGHT AN INSTRUMENT CLEARANCE FOR A CLIMB TO VFR CONDITIONS ON TOP WAS OBTAINED. THIS CLEARANCE WAS CANCELLED WHEN THE PILOT REPORTED ON TOP AT 2500 FEET, AFTER ACKNOWLEDGING FREQUENCY CHANGE TO SAN DIEGO APPROACH CONTROL 7 MILES NORTH OF RIVERSIDE,CA THERE WERE NO FURTHER COMMUNICATIONS WITH N4520K. THE PILOT HAD A HISTORY OF FLIGHT VIOLATIONS AND AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4520K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4520K-2014-12-17), registration cancelled 2014-12-17, S/N NAV-4-1520, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NAVION A
- Registry model: [Navion NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/navion-navion-a) (registry code 6150104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E225 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e225-series) (registry code 17015, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NA41520
- Airframe hours: 2245
- Engines: CONTINENTAL E-225-4 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: B. H. Ford
- Registered owner: B. H. Ford
- Departed: ORANGE COUNTY, CA
- Destination: RAMONA, CA
- Airport: L39, Ramona, runway 27, 4,000 × 0 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 11,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots

## 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 19820105000339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820105000339A), Jan 5, 1982: Navion NAVIONA, Ramona, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Aircraft crashed during low visibility conditions. Pilot had been commuting on this same route for three years.

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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