# NTSB LAX04LA299: Cessna 182G, N2059R, Big Bear City, CA, August 21, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 20, 2004, 18:14 local (Aug 21, 2004, 01:14 UTC) - Place: Big Bear City, CA - Coordinates: 34.26361, -116.854446 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2636&lon=-116.8544&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 8, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviaiton Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 59968 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX04LA299 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59968/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX04LA299 ## Probable cause the pilot's mistaken selection of an airport road as the landing runway. Factors in the accident were the nonstandard markings on the temporary landing surface and the glare from the setting sun. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - interpretation of instructions - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause) - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - other (contributing factor) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor) - object - other ## Analysis The airplane struck a bush and the airplane came to rest inverted after the pilot inadvertently landed on an airport road. While turning the base leg of the traffic pattern, the pilot listened to the UNICOM, which advised that the main runway was closed due to construction and to land on the taxiway located left of the runway. The pilot's visibility was restricted due to glare from the setting sun. As the pilot turned onto final, he could see neither a taxiway, nor a yellow stripe taxiway marking. He mistakenly touched down on an airport road, located approximately 10 feet left of the temporary runway. Upon touchdown the pilot realized his error and instantly began a go-around; however, the airplane's left wing struck a bush and the airplane came to rest inverted. ## Factual narrative On August 20, 2004, at 1814 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182G, N2059R, inadvertently landed on an airport road at the Big Bear City Airport, Big Bear City, California. The airplane came to rest inverted after the left wing collided with a bush. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed from the Lone Pine Airport, Lone Pine, California, and was destined for Big Bear. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. According to the pilot, Big Bear UNICOM advised him that the runway was under construction. They instructed him to use the taxiway for landing. As the airplane touched down, the pilot realized something was wrong and that he had inadvertently landed on a road. He applied full power to go around, and the left wing collided with a bush. The airplane came to rest inverted. The pilot was aware of the runway closure prior to his departure, but he had not landed there since the construction began. The taxiway was marked with a black line, not a yellow line to which the pilot was accustomed. An airport road runs parallel to the taxiway at Big Bear, and the pilot inadvertently landed on it. Due to the lack of yellow markings on the taxiway, the pilot felt it was confusing. The airport road was marked with faded, white strips down its center. The pilot stated that he was looking into a setting sun, and his forward visibility was almost zero. A notice to airman (NOTAM) for the runway closure stated the following: RAL 07/040 L35 8/26 CLSD/S PARL TWY TEMPO 8/26 3780X75 AVBL DAY/ NO TGL/26 TODA 3780 LDA 2500/8 TODA 3780 LDA 3480 ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2059R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2059R-2014-11-13), registration cancelled 2014-11-13, S/N 18255259 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182G - Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18255259 - Airframe hours: 6902 - Engines: Continental O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Trueman K. Peek - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 8, 2003, 172 hours before - Departed: O26, Lone Pine, CA - Destination: L35, Big Bear City, CA - Airport: L35, Big Bear City, runway 8, 3,780 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 10, 2004; seat: front; flight hours: 6,300 total, 5,380 in this make and model, 6,300 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 102 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: PSP, 31 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 20040820021779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040820021779A), Aug 20, 2004: Cessna 182G, Big Bear, CA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was briefed by Big Bear airport UNICOM on runway 26 construction. He was instructed to land on temporary runway 26, (south taxiway) whose threshold… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.