# NTSB LAX83FA377: Cessna 172, N64196, San Simeon, CA, August 6, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 6, 1983, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: San Simeon, CA
- Coordinates: 35.69083, -121.199134 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6908&lon=-121.1991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 4 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA377
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA377

## 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 - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN WHILE ON A PLEASURE FLIGHT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SIGHTSEEING. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND IN A BOX CANYON AT 3500 FT MSL. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED THAT THE ACFT IMPACTED ON A HEADING OF APPROX 085 DEGREES. THE SURROUNDING MOUNTAIN PEAKS ARE UP TO 5155 FT MSL. INVESTIGATION DID NOT REVEAL ANY REASON FOR THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N64196](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64196-1984-05-07), registration cancelled 1984-05-07, S/N 17275532 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172p) (registry code 2072436) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75532
- Airframe hours: 365
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D2J 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Aar Del Monte
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 27, 1983, 65 hours before
- Departed: MYR, MONTEREY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 101 total, 46 in this make and model, 80 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SPB, 55 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 19830806039119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830806039119A), Aug 6, 1983: Cessna 172P, San Simeon, CA, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Aircraft collided into terrain at 3500 MSL in a box canyon.

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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