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NTSB Report
February 13, 1982 · Beech J35 · N8385D
Gilroy, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 13, 1982
Injury Outcomes
4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Location
Gilroy, CA
Aircraft
Beech J35
Tail Number
N8385D
Operator
Gary W Niva
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FA071
THE PLT WAS ADVISED DURING THE WX BRIEFING THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMEDED ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS & THAT SAN JOSE WAS REPORTING 3,000 FT SCATTERED; 4,000 FT BROKEN; 9,000 FT OVERCAST WITH 10 MI VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT RAIN. APPROXIMATELY 36 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING OUT OF THE CLOUDS & A WING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. WITNESSES STATED THAT LIGHT RAIN & FOG EXISTED IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN & WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 1-1/2 MI IN DIAMETER. THE LEFT WING & BOTH STABILATORS HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS ADVISED DURING THE WX BRIEFING THAT VFR FLIGHT WAS NOT RECOMMEDED ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS & THAT SAN JOSE WAS REPORTING 3,000 FT SCATTERED; 4,000 FT BROKEN; 9,000 FT OVERCAST WITH 10 MI VISIBILITY WITH LIGHT RAIN. APPROXIMATELY 36 MIN AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING OUT OF THE CLOUDS & A WING HAD SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. WITNESSES STATED THAT LIGHT RAIN & FOG EXISTED IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN & WAS SCATTERED OVER AN AREA APPROXIMATELY 1-1/2 MI IN DIAMETER. THE LEFT WING & BOTH STABILATORS HAD SEPARATED IN FLIGHT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:25 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBeech J35
Tail NumberN8385D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorGary W Niva
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-470-C · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary4 injuries (4 fatalities)
Fatal4
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total4
Crew 1Age 40 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind13° @ 15 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point13 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg