# NTSB LAX05LA077: Cessna 182P, N7337S, Chico, CA, January 27, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 27, 2005, 15:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Chico, CA - Coordinates: 39.719722, -121.870552 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7197&lon=-121.8706&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report September 14, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Cessna Aircraft Company - NTSB case key (mKey): 60926 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60926/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA077 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during approach to land for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The airplane collided with trees during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. In cruise flight, the pilot selected 22 inches of manifold pressure and 2,200 revolutions per minute (rpm). As he descended, he reduced the manifold pressure to 16-17 inches, pulled the carburetor heat on, and left the rpm at 2,200. He was about 2 miles from the airport, and making a 45-degree entry to the downwind, which is the local approach to the runway. He had one notch of flaps selected. As he descended through 600 feet, the engine died. He raised the flaps after the engine quit producing power. He selected full down flaps about 20 feet above the trees. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot secured the master switch, magnetos, and fuel. The airplane was in a nose low position, and fuel flowed out of the vent. During a follow-up examination, the engine ran for several minutes during a test run with no discrepancies noted. ## Factual narrative On January 27, 2005, about 1545 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182P, N7337S, collided with trees during a forced landing near Chico, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Novato, California, at an undetermined time with a planned destination of the Ranchero airport near Chico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that in cruise flight he selected 22 inches of manifold pressure and 2,200 revolutions per minute (rpm). As he descended, he reduced the manifold pressure to 16-17 inches, pulled the carburetor heat on, and left the rpm at 2,200. He was about 2 miles from the airport, and making a 45-degree angle to the runway, which is the local approach to the runway. He had one notch of flaps selected. The pilot said that the engine died as he descended through 600 feet. He did not recall if the propeller was windmilling. He didn't see or feel anything; he did not hear backfiring, clanking, or sputtering. He moved the throttle, mixture, and propeller controls to the full forward position. He checked that the primer was in. He turned the key to start, but the engine did not start. He raised the flaps after the engine quit producing power. He selected full down flaps about 20 feet above the trees. After the airplane came to rest, the pilot secured the master switch, magnetos, and fuel. The airplane was in a nose low position, and fuel flowed out of the vent. A National Transportation Safety Board investigator supervised an examination of the engine at Plain Parts, Pleasant Grove, California, on May 24, 2005 The investigator observed that the oil pan was crushed. Investigators removed the oil filter, and installed a replacement filter. They removed the top spark plugs, which were white/gray in appearance. They drained 4.5 ounces of a blue liquid from the gascolators; it was clear and contained no debris. Another investigator removed 1 ounce of fuel from the carburetor on a previous visit. Investigators connected an external fuel tank to the forward doorpost fuel line. When they turned on the fuel, there was a minimal fuel flow observed out of the carburetor (where the plug was); it took several minutes for fuel to flow from the plug area. They were unable to get fuel to flow from the wing attach point (left side) fuel line. The line was compromised at the doorpost. They hooked up an external fuel line and tank to the carburetor fuel inlet. They started the engine, and ran it for several minutes with no discrepancies noted. The pilot failed to submit a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7337S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7337S-2006-05-05), registration cancelled 2006-05-05, S/N 18265128, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18265128 - Engines: Teledyne Continental O-470-S(3) 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard B. Pingatore - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DVO, Novato, CA - Destination: O23, Chico, CA - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: CIC ## 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 20050127003729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050127003729A), Jan 27, 2005: Cessna 182P, Chico, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Flight from novato, CA (dov) to Ranchaero (O23) Chico, CA. The pilot reported losing power when on approach and crashed one mile northwest of the airport… 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.