# NTSB LAX83FVG12: Yarnell Grass Hopper, N80546, Redding, CA, June 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 4, 1983, 00:00 local (07:00 UTC)
- Place: Redding, CA
- Coordinates: 40.51992, -122.319038 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5199&lon=-122.3190&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): 23570
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FVG12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23570/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FVG12

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, unknown
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED INTO STEEP MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES. THE WRECKAGE WAS 50 FEET BELOW A RIDGE LINE IN DEEP BRUSH. THE ENGINE AND NOSE SECTION WERE BURIED TO THE FIREWALL. EIGHT INCHES OF ONE PROP BLADE SHOWED ABOVEGROUND AND REVEALED NO RADIAL MARKS. THE ACFT WAS REFUELED AT MONTAGUE, CA WITH 14 GALS OF FUEL. THE PILOT TOLD THE FBO OPERATOR THERE THAT HE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE ACFT AND WAS TAKING IT TO TEXAS. HE ALSO STATED HE WAS PLANNING TO STOP ATORLAND, CA FOR HIS NEXT REFUELING. THE ACFT DEPARTED MONTAGUE AT 1300 HRS. THE BOYS WHO FOUND THE ACFT ON 6/5/83 THOUGHT THEY SAW IN CIRCLING LAKE SHASTA AT 1600 ON 6/4/83.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N80546 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: YARNELL GRASS HOPPER (GRASS HOPP)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 46193801
- Airframe hours: 70
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-200 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald B. Carraway
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 105, MONTAGUE, CA
- Destination: 037, ORLAND, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Not reported
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F

## 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 19830604025589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830604025589A), Jun 4, 1983: Amtr GRASSHOPPER, Redding, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft found in densely wooded area near top of a ridge. Cause of crash not determined.

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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