# NTSB LAX83FA034: Cessna 340A, N29HT, Orinda, CA, November 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 13, 1982, 15:34 local (23:34 UTC)
- Place: Orinda, CA
- Coordinates: 37.870082, -122.259658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8701&lon=-122.2597&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72104
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72104/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - physical impairment(other organic problem), pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER DEPARTING SAN JOSE, CA, THE PLT CLIMBED TO AN ALT OF 4600 FT MSL & PROCEEDED TOWARD NOVATO, CA. FROM 1528 TO 1533 PST, RADAR DATA SHOWED THAT THE ACFT WAS LEVEL AT 4600 FT ON A HEADING OF 330 DEG AT 180 FTS GROUND SPEED. RADAR INFO SHOWED THAT THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A DESCENT. DURING A 24 SEC PERIOD, THE ACFT DESCENDED TO AN ALT OF 4100 FT MSL & ITS HEADING CHANGED 10 DEG TO THE RIGHT. THE LAST RADAR POSITION, 12 SEC LATER, REVEALED AN ADDITIONAL HEADING CHANGE OF 150 DEG TO THE RIGHT, ACCOMPANIED BY A DESCENT TO 2300 (9000 FRM DESCENT). WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT DESCENDING AT HIGH SPEED IN A RIGHT TURN WITH THE ENGS AT HIGH POWER. JUST PRIOR TO IMPACT, THE RIGHT BANK ANGLE & NOSE LOW ATTITUDE INCREASED. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN, RIGHT WING LOW, ATTITUDE. NO PREIMPACT,MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. NO AUTOPSY WAS WAS MADE, ONLY A GROSS EXAM OF THE PLT'S FRAGMENTED BODY WAS POSSIBLE. BEFORE DEPARTING SAN JOSE, THE PLT HAD REMARKED THAT HE WAS BOTHERED BY A BAD COLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29HT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29HT-1984-10-26), registration cancelled 1984-10-26, S/N 340A0515 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 340A
- Registry model: [Cessna 340A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-340a) (registry code 2076405) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 340A0515
- Airframe hours: 1235
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520M 310 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Unknown
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Bear Avn.
- Registered owner: Golden Bear Avn.
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Destination: 056, NOVATO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 891 total, 704 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °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 19821113058389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821113058389A), Nov 13, 1982: Cessna 340A, Orinda, CA, Destroyed. Aircrafft was observed to dive into ground in a right turn with engines running at high power.

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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