# NTSB LAX82DA238: Cessna 205, N8100Z, El Centro, CA, June 30, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1982, 12:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: El Centro, CA
- Coordinates: 34.150783, -114.330085 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1508&lon=-114.3301&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70561
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA238
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70561/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA238

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING TAKEOFF. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. AN ENGINE TEARDOWN REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8100Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8100Z-1983-03-12), registration cancelled 1983-03-12, S/N 205-0100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 205
- Registry model: [Cessna 210-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-210-5) (registry code 2073404) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 0100
- Airframe hours: 4268
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470-S 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas James Sullivan
- Registered owner: Thomas James Sullivan
- Departed: 9L4, EL CENTRO, CA
- Destination: MXL, MEXICALI
- Airport: 9L4, Douthitt Strip, runway 8, 2,100 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 5,511 total, 300 in this make and model, 5,511 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 183 °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 19820630025979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820630025979A), Jun 30, 1982: Cessna 2105, El Centro, CA, Destroyed. Pilot claims engine failure during takeoff. Aircraft went off end of runway into ditch. No engine problems found.

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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