# NTSB LAX82FVM09: Piper 28-151, N32678, Los Gatos, CA, January 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: January 28, 1982, 18:20 local (Jan 29, 1982, 02:20 UTC)
- Place: Los Gatos, CA
- Coordinates: 37.670806, -122.470451 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6708&lon=-122.4705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report January 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVM09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVM09

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT PREPARED TO DEPART ON A SCHEDULED COURIER RUN IN A PIPER PA-32, BUT WAS UNABLE TO START THE ENGINE. AFTER CONSULTING WITH COMPANY PERSONNEL, HE RENTED A PIPER PA-28-151, TRANSFERRED THE CARGO AND DEPARTED MONTEREY, CA ON A FLIGHT TO OAKLAND, CA. AFTER DEPARTING THE MONTEREY TRSA, HE CONTINUED WITH NO FAA FLIGHT PLAN. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN LOCATED WITHIN THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS, CA. RESIDENTS IN THE AREA REPORTED THAT THE VISIBILITY WAS FROM 20 TO 50 FT AND THAT THE BRANCHES OF THE TALL TREES COULD NOT BE SEEN WITH THE AID OF A FLASHLIGHT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT ENGINE OR AIRFRAME FAILURES. THE CRASH SITE WAS WITHIN ONE MILE FROM A COURSE LINE BETWEEN THE MONTEREY AND OAKLAND AIRPORTS. THE OPERATOR HAD NOT RECEIVED APPROVAL TO USE THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF AIRCRAFT IN ITS SCHEDULED AIR TAXI OERATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32678](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N32678-1997-08-11), registration cancelled 1997-08-11, S/N 287515215 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER 28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7815013
- Airframe hours: 2890
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: James Williams
- Registered owner: James Williams
- Departed: MONTEREY, CA
- Destination: OAKLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,750 total, 330 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 20 ft overcast

## 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 19820128002089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820128002089A), Jan 28, 1982: Piper PA28151, Los Gatos, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot continued flight into IMC, aircraft crashed in mountainous terrain. Ceiling reported less than 50 feet.

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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