# NTSB LAX82FVG14: Cessna 150M, N63182, Davis, CA, January 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 17, 1982, 18:30 local (Jan 18, 1982, 02:30 UTC)
- Place: Davis, CA
- Coordinates: 38.549457, -121.800567 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5495&lon=-121.8006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70415
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVG14
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70415/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVG14

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - uncontrolled, pilot in command
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT HAD RECENTLY RECEIVED A NIGHT CHECKOUT ON 1/8/82 AND WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE BEEN ON A PRACTIVE NIGHT FLIGHT. THE THREE NEAREST WEATHER STATIONS REPORTED CEILINGS BETWEEN 200 FT AND 400 FT AND VISIBILITIES FROM 3/4 TO 1 1/2 MILES WITH FOG. THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED ABOUT ONE MILE SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT AND ABOUT 1/2 MILE WEST OF THE RUNWAY CENTERLINE. MATERIAL FROM THE LEFT WING WAS FOUND AT THE INITIAL IMPACT POINT. AFTER IMPACT, THE AIRCRAFT TRAVELED 75 FT ON A HEADING OF 170 DEGREES. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO FAILURES OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE. THERE WAS NO RECORD OF A PREFLIGHT WEATHER BRIEFING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63182](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N63182-1984-11-15), registration cancelled 1984-11-15, S/N 15077160 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 150M
- Registry model: [Cessna 150M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-150m) (registry code 2071830) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15077160
- Airframe hours: 3877
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200-A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cal-Aggie Flying Farmers
- Registered owner: Cal-Aggie Flying Farmers
- Departed: 005, DAVIS, CA
- Destination: 005, DAVIS, CA
- Airport: 005, University

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 18; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 77 total, 73 in this make and model, 30 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Temperature: 104 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SVV, 15 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 19820117001239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820117001239A), Jan 17, 1982: Cessna 150M, Davis, CA, Destroyed. VFR pilot departed into low clouds and fog at night. Spatial disorientation and loss of control on climbout.

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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