# NTSB LAX83FA047: Cessna 172N, N737LA, 12nm East Of An, CA, November 29, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 28, 1982, 21:40 local (Nov 29, 1982, 05:40 UTC)
- Place: 12nm East Of An, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 28, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69622
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA047
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69622/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA047

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - obscuration (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE PREFLIGHT WX BRIEFING FROM THERMAL FSS THE PLT WAS ADVISED THAT VFR FLT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED INTO THE SAN DIEGO AREA. ALTHOUGH THE PLT REQUESTED A BRIEFING TO SAN DIEGO, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE INITIAL DESTINATION WAS CARLSBAD TO DEPLANE THE REAR SEAT PAX. THE ACFT IMPACTED A MOUNTAIN JUST BELOW THE CREST AT 8,000 FT MSL. VFR FLT FOLLOWING HAD BEEN TERMINATED ABOUT 6 MIN PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE NTSB METEOROLOGICAL SUMMARY, THERE WERE PROBABLY CONTINUOUS CLOUD CONDITIONS FROM 1,000 FT MSL TO NEAR 9,000 FT MSL WITH FLT VISIBILITY OF ZERO IN THE CLOUDS. MOUNTAINS WERE PROBABLY OBSCURED. THERE WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF LIGHT TO MODERATE TURBULENCE & UP & DOWN DRAFTS BELOW 10,000 FT MSL AS WELL AS MIXED MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS NEAR 9,000 FT MSL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737LA-1983-05-06), registration cancelled 1983-05-06, S/N 17269490 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17269490
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cal Aero Flying Club, Inc.
- Registered owner: James E. Frandsen
- Departed: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 850 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 32 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 47 nm away

## 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 19821128062209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821128062209A), Nov 28, 1982: Cessna 172N, Anza, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into side of cloud obscured mountain en route at night. Was advised VFR flight not recommended.

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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