# NTSB LAX83FA371: Cessna 152, N6599L, Pleasanton, CA, July 31, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1983, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Pleasanton, CA
- Coordinates: 37.650566, -121.849372 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6506&lon=-121.8494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA371
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA371

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE IN HILLY TERRAIN. DEBRIS WAS SCATTERED FOR ABOUT 100 FT BUT THE ACFT DID NOT TRAVEL AFTER INITIAL IMPACT. THE FUEL TANKS WERE RUPTURED AND NO FUEL REMAINED. THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAID NO ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTED WHEN THEY ARRIVED AT THE SCENE. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS MISSING FOR ABOUT 2 DAYS. THE PLTS WIFE LAST SAWHIM ON 7/30 AT 2300 HOURS PDT. HE REPORTEDLY LEFT HOME THAT NIGHT OR EARLY THE NEXT MORNING. WHEN HE DID NOT RETURN ON 7/31 THE WIFE REPORTED HIM MISSING. HIS CAR WAS FOUND AT HAYWARD AIR TERMINAL, CA. THERE ARE NO KNOWN WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT. THE ACFT WRECKAGE WAS FOUND BY A RANCHER WHO WAS CHECKING CATTLE ON HIS PROPERTY. NO DISCREPANCIES IN THE AIRFRAME OR ENGINE WERE UNCOVERED IN THE INVESTIGATION. THE WIFE SAID HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN DEPRESSED DUE TO BUSINESS. SHE SAID HE HAD THREATENED SUICIDE IN THE PAST BUT SHE DID NOT BELIEVE HE WOULD TAKE ANY ACTION IN THAT REGARD. AN AUTOPSY AND TOXICOLOGICAL TESTS REVEALED NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6599L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6599L-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 15284457, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 152
- Registry model: [Cessna 152](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-152) (registry code 2071835) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 15284457
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 110 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Fred Nediffer
- Registered owner: John V. Pearson, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 24, 1983
- Departed: HWP, HAYWARD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 900 ft overcast
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 18 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 19830731037839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830731037839A), Jul 31, 1983: Cessna 152, Pleasanton, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft became missing. Located next day. Vertical impact indicated. Pilot had threatened suicide. No witnesses.

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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