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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 8, 1983 · Cessna 172N · N734RL

Newport Beach, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 8, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Newport Beach, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 172N
Tail Number
N734RL
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83FA436

ABOUT 30 MINS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE TWO PLTS STOPPED BY A HANGAR TO SAY HELLO TO AN INDIVIDUAL. THIS PERSON REPORTED THAT THE PLT APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED; HIS SPEECH WAS SLURRED, HE COULDN'T FOCUS HIS EYES ON THINGS VERY EASILY & HE GIGGLED A LOT. THE PLTS TOOK OFF FROM THE ARPT AT ABOUT 0215. AT ABOUT 0230 A WITNESS REPORTED SHE HEARD AN ACFT ROAR VERY LOW OVER HER RESIDENCE TRAVELING TOWARD THE OCEAN. SHE SAID THE ACFT LIT UP HER BEDROOM. AT 0241 POLICE WERE NOTIFIED OF AN ACFT CRASHING INTO THE OCEAN. BOTH WINGS EXHIBITED SEVERE CHORDWISE ACCORDIONING. THE PIC'S BLOOD ALCOHOLLEVEL WAS 0.07%. THE OTHER PAX/PLT HAD A SPLEEN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.09% & THE TOX SHOWED EVIDENCE OF PHENYTOIN.

Full Narrative

ABOUT 30 MINS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE TWO PLTS STOPPED BY A HANGAR TO SAY HELLO TO AN INDIVIDUAL. THIS PERSON REPORTED THAT THE PLT APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED; HIS SPEECH WAS SLURRED, HE COULDN'T FOCUS HIS EYES ON THINGS VERY EASILY & HE GIGGLED A LOT. THE PLTS TOOK OFF FROM THE ARPT AT ABOUT 0215. AT ABOUT 0230 A WITNESS REPORTED SHE HEARD AN ACFT ROAR VERY LOW OVER HER RESIDENCE TRAVELING TOWARD THE OCEAN. SHE SAID THE ACFT LIT UP HER BEDROOM. AT 0241 POLICE WERE NOTIFIED OF AN ACFT CRASHING INTO THE OCEAN. BOTH WINGS EXHIBITED SEVERE CHORDWISE ACCORDIONING. THE PIC'S BLOOD ALCOHOLLEVEL WAS 0.07%. THE OTHER PAX/PLT HAD A SPLEEN ALCOHOL LEVEL OF 0.09% & THE TOX SHOWED EVIDENCE OF PHENYTOIN.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time02:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 172N
Tail NumberN734RL
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-H2AD · Reciprocating · 160
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 24 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDark Night
Wind315° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time09:00
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data