# NTSB LAX83FA141: Ryan Navion A, N444N, Fiddletown, CA, March 12, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1983, 20:15 local (Mar 12, 1983, 04:15 UTC)
- Place: Fiddletown, CA
- Coordinates: 38.520996, -120.699623 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5210&lon=-120.6996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23435
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23435/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA141

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - normal
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO HILLY TERRAIN WHILE DESCENDING TO ENTER THE TRAFFIC PATTERN AT THE RANCHO MURIETA AIRPORT. THE PILOT HAD CALLED SACRAMENTO FSS TO GET ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING THIS ARPT WHICH IS ABOUT 11 NM FROM SACRAMENTO VOR ON A BEARING OF ABOUT 65 DEGREES MAGNETIC. WITNESSES SAW THE ACFT AT BELOW 1000 FT AGL DESCENDING IN THE DIRECTION OF FIDDLETOWN SHORTLY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE WEATHER WAS VMC AND VISIBILITY WAS GOOD BUT IT WAS AFTER DARK. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE HEARD THE ACFT GO OVER HIM AT LOW ALT. HE SAW THE ACFT LIGHTS AS IT DESCENDED INTO THE HILLS THERE WERE FLAMES VISIBLE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE IMPACT. HE STATED THAT THE ENGINE SOUNDS WERE NORMAL AND SEEMED TO BE AT A HIGH RPM SETTING. HE ESTIMATED THAT THE ACFT DESCENDED ABOUT 200 FT IN 1/2 MILE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N444N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N444N-2013-06-04), registration cancelled 2013-06-04, S/N NAV-4-1295, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: RYAN NAVION A
- Registry model: [Ryan NAVION A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-navion-a) (registry code 6150162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NAV-4-1295
- Airframe hours: 2250
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Winters Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1982
- Departed: 2Q3, WINTERS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 150° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 17 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 19830311010239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830311010239A), Mar 11, 1983: Tmpson NAVIONA, Fiddletown, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Flew into side of a ridge. Witnesses saw lights of a low flying aircraft heading for the ridge.

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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