# NTSB LAX82DA220: Cessna 172, N1580Y, Lancaster, CA, June 14, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 13, 1982, 18:00 local (Jun 14, 1982, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, CA
- Coordinates: 34.720024, -118.150291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7200&lon=-118.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 13, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71352
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71352/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA220

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base turn
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT, THE PILOT LANDED AT AN AIRPORT TO REFUEL. HOWEVER, THE FUEL TRUCKS WERE LOCKED UP AND NO ONE WAS AT THE UNICOM OFFICE, EVEN THOUGH, THE AIRPORT DIRECTORY INDICATED THE FIELD WAS ATTENDED AND FUEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE. THE PILOT PREFLIGHTED THE AIRCRAFT AND BELIEVED HE HAD ENOUGH FUEL TO FLY FROM MOJAVE TO LANCASTER, CA. WHILE ON BASE LEG FOR LANDING AT LANCASTER, THE PILOT ELECTED TO MAKE A 360 DEGREE TURN TO GET SPACING BEHIND ANOTHER PLANE. DURING THE TURN, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. SUBSEQUENTLY, A CROSSWIND LANDING WAS MADE IN A VACANT FIELD WHILE AVOIDING POWER LINES. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE HIT A BUMP. WHEELBARROWED, AND FLIPPED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1580Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1580Y), registered now, S/N 17249280, built 1962 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172
- Registry model: [Cessna 172C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172c) (registry code 2072408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49280
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-C 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jeffrey K. Brown
- Registered owner: Jeffrey K. Brown
- Departed: MHV, MOJAVE, CA
- Destination: GATE CITY, VA
- Airport: WJF, Gen. William J. Fox

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 95 total, 20 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 30 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 176 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19820613021659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820613021659A), Jun 13, 1982: Cessna 172C, Lancaster, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.

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.

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