# NTSB LAX88LA133: Gulfstream American AA5A, N26851, Union City, CA, March 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1988, 07:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Union City, CA
- Coordinates: 37.599563, -122.020179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5996&lon=-122.0202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25968
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25968/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA133

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise - normal
  - object - tower (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A POWER LINE TOWER. THE AIRPLANE WAS CONSUMED BY FIRE. THE WEATHER AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO BE INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WITH LOW FOG. THE PILOT DID NOT FILE AN INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PLAN AND WAS OPERATING UNDER VFR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N26851](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N26851-1990-03-12), registration cancelled 1990-03-12, S/N AA5A0767 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GULFSTREAM AMERICAN AA5A
- Registry model: [Gulfstream American AA-5A](https://openairdocs.org/model/gulfstream-american-aa-5a) (registry code 3970104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: AA5A067
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bergeson, Kent
- Registered owner: Bergeson, Kent
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: PVF, PLACERVILLE, CA
- Destination: PAO, PALO ALTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 605 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HWD, 16 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 19880323006379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880323006379A), Mar 23, 1988: Gulstm AA5A, Union City, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Right wing severed by power pole, aircraft crashed and burned. Pilot had been flying under low ceiling in fog.

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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