# NTSB LAX86FA063: Cessna TR182, N737SG, Independence, CA, December 10, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: December 9, 1985, 21:04 local (Dec 10, 1985, 05:04 UTC)
- Place: Independence, CA
- Coordinates: 36.830844, -118.239753 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8308&lon=-118.2398&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FA063

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise - normal
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr procedures
  - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high terrain (contributing factor)
  - safety advisory - not issued, atc personnel(artcc)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH MOUTAINOUS TERRAIN (TRRN) AT AN APRX ELEV OF 13,500 FT. PREVIOUSLY, THE PLT HAD REQUESTED & WAS RCVG TRAFFIC ADVISORIES FM ARTCC. BFR THE ACDNT, THE ACFT'S PSN & ALT (MODE C REPLY) WERE NOTED BY THE CONTROLLER (CTLR). NO TRRN/OBSTN ALERT WAS ISSUED; HOWEVER, AT THAT TIME, THE FLT WAS OPERATING UNDER VISUAL FLIGHT RULES. ALSO, IT WAS NEAR A ROUTE OFTEN USED BY VFR ACFT TO CROSS OVER THE MTNS, SO NO SAFETY ALERT WAS REQUIRED (ALTHO AFTER THE ACDNT, OAKLAND ARTCC BEGAN PROVIDING TRRN/OBSTN ALERTS TO VFR ACFT AS AN ADNL SERVICE). THE ACFT CRASHED INTO 32 DEG UPSLOPING TRRN BELOW MT KEITH (ELEV 13,976 FT), APRX 8 MI NNW OF MT WHITNEY. ON THE LATEST SECTIONAL CHART, THERE WAS A NOTE (APRX 1/2 INCH FM THE CRASH LOCATION) WHICH STATED 'CAUTION - RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN.'  ALSO, THE CHART HAD 2 MAX ELEV FIGURES WHICH SHOWED THAT NEARBY TRRN ROSE ABOVE 14,000 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N737SG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N737SG-2013-11-13), registration cancelled 2013-11-13, S/N R18200878, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18200878
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Charles A. Woodstock
- Registered owner: K. T. Place & Larry Bassinger
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 1985
- Departed: 005, DAVIS, CA
- Destination: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 807 total, 738 in this make and model, 685 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Night/dark
- Observed at: FAT, 67 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 19851209077719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851209077719A), Dec 9, 1985: Cessna TR182, Independence, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft struck a mountain. The pilot flew below safe altitude. ARTCC failed to activate the emsaw system.

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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