# NTSB LAX84FA189: Cessna 182P, N91227, Livermore, CA, February 20, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1984, 00:00 local (08:00 UTC)
- Place: Livermore, CA
- Coordinates: 37.679088, -121.750869 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6791&lon=-121.7509&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23940
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA189
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23940/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA189

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A NIGHT X-COUNTRY FLT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND NEAR THE TOP OF HILLY TERRAIN AT AN ELEVATION OF ABOUT 1840 FT. THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS NOT KNOWN, BUT THE ACFT HAD DEPARTED GROVELAND, CA AT SOMETIME BETWEEN 1900 & 1930 PST. WITNESSES IN THE AREA AT THE PRESUMED TIME OF THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT A SUDDEN RAIN SQUALL HAD MOVED THRU THE LIVERMORE, CA VICINITY AT ABOUT 1900 PST. AN EXAM OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED NO INDICATION OF ANY PREIMPACT MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION. APRX 5 MI NORTHWEST AT LIVERMORE, CA, THE 1945 PST WX WAS, IN PART: 3000 FT SCATTERED, 7000 FT BROKEN. THE ELEVATION AT LIVERMORE IS 397 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91227](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91227-2017-02-04), registration cancelled 2017-02-04, S/N 18261973, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18261973
- Airframe hours: 3069
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S1B 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Billy C. Newell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 14, 1983, 34 hours before
- Departed: Q68, GROVELAND, CA
- Destination: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 216 total, 24 in this make and model, 163 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Observed at: LVK

## 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 19840220003689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840220003689A), Feb 20, 1984: Cessna 182P, Livermore, CA, Destroyed. Crashed into a hillside on unauthorized night flight. Heavy rain showers in area. Pilot not instrument rated.

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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