# NTSB LAX82DA139: Cessna 210D, N3972Y, N. South Lake T, CA, April 17, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1982, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: N. South Lake T, CA
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71816
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71816/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA139

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT MADE A NORMAL CLIMB TO ABOUT 8500 FT. HE THEN NOTICED INDICATIONS OF HIGHER THAN NORMAL EGT AND FUEL PRESSURE AND A LOWER THAN NORMAL FUEL FLOW. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE HAD LEVELED OFF AND THROTTLED BACK WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER. HE NOTICED A SLIGHT RPM LOSS WITH THE SAME FUEL PRESSURE AND FLOW READINGS. HE ELECTED TO RETURN TO THE SOUTH LAKE TAHOE AIRPORT. WHILE RETURNING, THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DITCHED IN LAKE TAHOE. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER EGRESSED THROUGH A SIDE WINDOW AND SWAM TO SHORE. THE AIRCRAFT WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE LAKE. THE ENGINE WAS INSPECTED, AND AFTER MINOR REPAIRS, IT OPERATED NORMALLY USING THE AIRCRAFT'S FUEL SYSTEM. THE FUEL BOOST PUMP COULD NOT BE TESTED DUE TO IMPACT DAMAGE. THE MAGNETOS TESTED SATISFACTORILY. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE TOO RUSTY TO CHECK; THEREFORE, OTHER PLUGS WERE USED FOR THE ENGINE RUN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3972Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3972Y-2013-04-17), registration cancelled 2013-04-17, S/N 21058472, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 210D
- Registry model: [Cessna 210D](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210d) (registry code 2073414) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 58472
- Airframe hours: 3507
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-A 285 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mickele A. Foley
- Registered owner: Mickele A. Foley
- Departed: N. SOUTH LAKE T, CA
- Destination: COLUSA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 800 total, 200 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 135 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19820417011889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417011889A), Apr 17, 1982: Cessna 210D, South Lake Taho, CA, Destroyed. Pilot claims engine malfunction caused him to ditch airplane in lake. Investigation revealed no defects.

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.