# NTSB LAX82FVG20: Smith Miniplane DSA-1, N103L, Chicago Park, CA, April 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 18, 1982, 14:22 local (22:22 UTC)
- Place: Chicago Park, CA
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVG20
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVG20

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED WHILE THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT LOW ALTITUDE. THE IMPACT OCCURRED JUST BELOW THE TOP OF A RIDGE AT THE EDGE OF A VALLEY AS THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A LOOP. HE WAS PERFORMING THE LOOP PERPENDICULAR TO THE RIDGE, AND ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE LOOP, THE PLANE DESCENDED OUT OVER THE VALLEY. NO PRECRASH MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT OR ENGINE WAS EVIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N103L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103L-1983-02-16), registration cancelled 1983-02-16, S/N 1010-L (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SMITH MINIPLANE DSA-1 (MINIPLANE)
- Registry model: [Smith Miniplane DSA-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-miniplane-dsa-1) (registry code 83501ZT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10101
- Airframe hours: 658
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: G.M. Prucha
- Registered owner: G.M. Prucha
- Departed: AUBURN, CA
- Destination: AUBURN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,000 total, 25 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 163 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19820418012609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820418012609A), Apr 18, 1982: Amtrsm MINIPLNEDSA1, Chicago Park, CA, Destroyed. Engaged in low level aerobatics. Struck trees on back side of a loop. Was not endorsed for low level aerobatics.

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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