# NTSB LAX83LA052: Cessna 172M, N20016, South Lake Taho, CA, December 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1982, 15:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: South Lake Taho, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72651
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72651/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA052

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - mountain wave (cause)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT AND A PASSENGER DEPARTED THE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT AT 1515 PST. HE STATED THAT HE HAD CLIMBED TO ABOUT 1200 FT AGL WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED EXTREME TURBULENCE AND DOWNDRAFTS. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT UNTIL JUST PRIOR TO GROUND IMPACT. A HELICOPTER PILOT THAT WAS IN THE AREA JUST AFTER THE ACCIDENT ALSO REPORTED MODERATE TO SEVERE TURBULENCE. THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT WAS AT AN ELEVATION OF 6264 FT MSL NEAR MOUNTAINS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH LIGHTS TO DISPLAY COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS AT NIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N20016 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172M
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17260932
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Manual Amaral
- Registered owner: Manual Amaral
- Departed: TVL, SOUTH LAKE TAHO, CA
- Destination: PVF, PLACERVILLE, CA
- Airport: TVL, South Lake Tahoe, runway 36, 8,544 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 150 total, 36 in this make and model, 27 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 102 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVL, 1 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 19821208062779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821208062779A), Dec 8, 1982: Cessna 172M, South Lake Taho, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot claims severe turbulence after takeoff caused uncontrolled crash.

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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