# NTSB LAX83FA040: Beech 23, N6049B, 10 M.N. Of Gilr, CA, November 27, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1982
- Place: 10 M.N. Of Gilr, CA
- Coordinates: 45.080173, -109.900901 (estimated)
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 27, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69608
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69608/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA040

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - inadequate transition/upgrade training, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT HIT A 2721 FOOT RIDGE JUST BELOW THE TOP WHILE CRUISING IN BAD WEATHER ON A DARK NIGHT. HE WAS ON A VFR FLIGHT PLAN AND WAS NOT INSTRUMENT RATED. LOW OVERCAST OBSCURED THE MOUNTAIN TOPS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N6049B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 23
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M2177
- Airframe hours: 1051
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mr. And Mrs. W. A. Volz
- Registered owner: Mr. And Mrs. W. A. Volz
- Departed: C, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Destination: C, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 117 total, 29 in this make and model, 62 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 310° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Temperature: 41 °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 19821127064219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821127064219A), Nov 27, 1982: Beech 23BEECH, Gilroy, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft impacted near top of a ridge. Top of ridge obscured. Moderate rain, fog and dark night. VFR rated pilot.

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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