# NTSB LAX82FVM13: Stinson 108-2, N9455K, Morgan Hill, CA, March 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: March 27, 1982, 12:35 local (20:35 UTC)
- Place: Morgan Hill, CA
- Coordinates: 37.16967, -121.650527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.1697&lon=-121.6505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71765
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVM13
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71765/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVM13

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS OBSERVED MAKING REPEATED LOW PASSES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CRASH SITE. THIS WAS ALSO CLOSE TO THE HOME OF ONE OF THE PASSENGERS. THE FINAL PASS WAS MADE IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION OVER A DAM AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL. JUST BEYOND THE DAM, THE PILOT MADE A STEEP CLIMB TO AVOID A KNOLL OR HILL. COMING OUT OF THIS MANEUVER, HE HEADED SOUTH AT A SLOW SPEED, DIRECTLY INTO A BOXED OR BLIND CANYON. HE MADE A 180 DEGREE TURN WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE CANYON AND CRASHED INTO TREES JUST AFTER COMING OUT OF THE TURN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9455K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9455K-2013-03-20), registration cancelled 2013-03-20, S/N 108-2455, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-2
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-2) (registry code 9230406) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10824551
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Doug D. Higbee
- Registered owner: Doug D. Higbee
- Departed: SAN HOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; student; medical: unknown, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 136 °F

## 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 19820327006129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820327006129A), Mar 27, 1982: Univar 1082, Morgan Hill, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Student pilot was buzzing friend's residence. Flew into blind canyon, struck trees trying to make 180 degree turn.

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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