# NTSB LAX85FA038: Stinson Voyager 150, N97638, Meadow Vista, CA, November 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1984, 18:15 local (Nov 3, 1984, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: Meadow Vista, CA
- Coordinates: 39.000953, -121.0307 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0010&lon=-121.0307&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA038
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA038

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - weather forecast - disregarded, pilot in command
  - flight into known adverse weather - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN WHILE MANEUVERING NORTHEAST OF AUBURN AIRPORT DURING A VFR PERSONAL FLT. THE PLT ADVISED SACRAMENTO TRACON THAT HE HAD AUBURN ARPT IN SIGHT. HOWEVER, TRACON OBSERVED N97638 FLY OVER & PASS AUBURN ARPT IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION & CALLED THE ACFT. AT THIS TIME, THE PLT ADVISED TRACON THAT HE WANTED A VECTOR TO LINCOLN ARPT, 16 MI WEST OF AUBURN. SACRAMENTO TRACON ADVISED N97638 TO MAINTAIN VFR & THAT HE WAS ENTERING AN AREA OF HIGH TERRAIN. ALSO, HE WAS ADVISED THAT WHEN POSSIBLE, HE SHOULD TURN RIGHT OR LEFT TO A HEADING OF 240 DEG FOR A VECTOR TO LINCOLN ARPT. THESE INSTRUCTIONS WERE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE PLT, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THE ACFT DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR. ACCORDING TO RESIDENTS IN THE ACCIDENT AREA, THE GROUND VISIBILITY WAS 'ZERO ZERO WITH FOG AND MISTY CONDITIONS.' PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ON THIS FLT THE PLT WAS ADVISED BY FSS THAT 'VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMENDED.'

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N97638](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N97638-2013-09-17), registration cancelled 2013-09-17, S/N 108-638, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON VOYAGER 150 (VOYAGER 15)
- Registry model: [Stinson 108](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108) (registry code 9230402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4150 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4150-series) (registry code 27024, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-638
- Airframe hours: 1883
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A4-150-3B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Verinta Bernadett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1983, 99 hours before
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Destination: AUN, AUBURN, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 802 total, 342 in this make and model, 615 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 31 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 19841102061819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841102061819A), Nov 2, 1984: Univar 108, Meadow Vista, CA, Destroyed. Flew VFR into area with zero ceiling and visibility. Impacted trees and high terrain inverted. IFR currency not met

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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