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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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May 8, 1982 · Smith Aerostar 600 · N8007J

Burbank, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 8, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities), 1 unknown outcome
Location
Burbank, CA
Aircraft
Smith Aerostar 600
Tail Number
N8007J
Operator
Judith Gill Wagner
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX82FA161

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED INTO IFR CONDITIONS WITH A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT AND HIS WIFE, AN INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT, IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. AFTER THE PILOT REPORTED CLIMBING THROUGH 2800 FT MSL, THE RADAR CONTROLLER OBSERVED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEVIATED FROM THE COURSE AND BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. HE ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PILOT, BUT WAS UNABLE. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT MANEUVER IN AND OUT OF THE OVERCAST. TWO WITNESSES WATCHED IT CHANGE COURSE TO THE RIGHT FROM SOUTHEAST TO NORTHWEST, PULL UP INTO THE OVERCAST, THEN DIVE OUT OF THE CLOUDS IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND CRASH. DURING AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE, NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESIGNED TO BE FLOWN IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS FROM ONLY THE LEFT FRONT SEAT.

Full Narrative

THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED INTO IFR CONDITIONS WITH A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT IN THE LEFT FRONT SEAT AND HIS WIFE, AN INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT, IN THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT. AFTER THE PILOT REPORTED CLIMBING THROUGH 2800 FT MSL, THE RADAR CONTROLLER OBSERVED THAT THE AIRCRAFT DEVIATED FROM THE COURSE AND BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE. HE ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE PILOT, BUT WAS UNABLE. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT MANEUVER IN AND OUT OF THE OVERCAST. TWO WITNESSES WATCHED IT CHANGE COURSE TO THE RIGHT FROM SOUTHEAST TO NORTHWEST, PULL UP INTO THE OVERCAST, THEN DIVE OUT OF THE CLOUDS IN A NEAR VERTICAL ATTITUDE AND CRASH. DURING AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE, NO PREIMPACT, MECHANICAL FAILURES WERE FOUND. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESIGNED TO BE FLOWN IN INSTRUMENT CONDITIONS FROM ONLY THE LEFT FRONT SEAT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:16 PDT
Nearest AirportBURBANK (0nm N)
Runway15
Runway Length6920 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftSmith Aerostar 600
Tail NumberN8007J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJudith Gill Wagner
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-KIJ5 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats6

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities), 1 unknown outcome
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 55 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 4 kt
Visibility1 sm
CeilingOvercast 500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point14 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time06:20

Appendix: Source Data