# NTSB LAX86FA003: Gulfstream AA-5B, N45293, Orinda, CA, October 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1985, 15:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Orinda, CA
- Coordinates: 37.88977, -122.18927 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8898&lon=-122.1893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24871
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24871/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA003

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total instrument time, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH RISING TERRAIN ON A SOUTHERLY HEADING. A VFR FLT PLAN WAS FILED. A WITNESS NEAR THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED LOW CEILINGS AND A FORWARD GROUND VISIBILITY OF 50 FT. APRX 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT THE ACFT WAS SEEN FLYING SOUTHEAST OF THE ACCIDENT SITE ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING AT AN ALT OF APRX 200 TO 500 FT AGL. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, THE SAME WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT TRAVELING NORTHBOUND THROUGH THE SAME AREA. SEVERAL OTHER WITNESSES REPORTED SEEING THE ACFT FLYING ALONG HWY 24 AT LOW ALTITUDES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N45293 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AA-5B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5B1151
- Airframe hours: 1712
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4K 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Trans Bay Airways
- Registered owner: Kenney,Lawrence & C.Russell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 12, 1985, 32 hours before
- Departed: RBL, RED BLUFF, CA
- Destination: SQL, SAN CARLOS, CA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 225 total, 60 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 50 ft
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OAK, 9 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 19851006073799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851006073799A), Oct 6, 1985: Gulstm AA5B, Orinda, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Attempted flight through mountainous area with low ceiling and visibility. Lost control of the aircraft.

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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