# NTSB LAX83FA320: Beech E55, N17993, Bridgeport, CA, February 28, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 28, 1983, 14:27 local (22:27 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeport, CA
- Coordinates: 38.270919, -119.329788 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.2709&lon=-119.3298&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): 23471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA320
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA320

## 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 - icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence in clouds (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise - normal
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE RECORDED TRANSCRIPT BETWEEN THE PLT AND THE RENO FSS SPECIALIST REVEALS THAT THE PLT WAS AWARE OF MODERATE ICING CONDITIONS BELOW 18000 FEET AND REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE ALONG HIS PROPOSED ROUTE OF FLT. THE PLT REPORTED ICING CONDITIONS AND DOWNDRAFTS IN FLT AND STATED THAT THE ACFT WOULD NOT MAINTAIN ALT. THE ACFT CAME TO REST IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN ABT 21 MILES WEST/NORTHWEST OF BRIDGEPORT, CALIFORNIA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17993](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17993-2014-09-10), registration cancelled 2014-09-10, S/N TE-1100, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH E55
- Registry model: [Beech E-55](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-e-55) (registry code 1152732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: TE-1100
- Airframe hours: 755
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-C 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Brian A. Bertha
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1982, 105 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: SNA, SANTA ANA, CA
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,246 total, 173 in this make and model, 549 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 36 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 19830228005629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830228005629A), Feb 28, 1983: Beech E55, Bridgeport, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot could not maintain altitude in severe turbulence. Crashed in mountainous terrain.

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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