# NTSB LAX82FA080: Cessna 172N, N4906G, Catalina Island, CA, February 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: February 21, 1982, 08:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Catalina Island, CA
- Coordinates: 33.380992, -118.450614 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3810&lon=-118.4506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70161
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA080
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70161/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA080

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE CIRCLING AROUND CATALINA ISLAND TURNING IN AN OUT OF CANYONS AT 1700 FEET MSL THE ENGINE LOST POWER. AT LOS ANGELES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 38 MILES TO THE NNW, THE TEMPERATURE WAS 65 DEGREES AND THE DEW POINT WAS 45 DEGREES.ALL ATTEMPS TO RESTART THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND THE AIRCRAFT ON A ROAD RUNNING ALONG A RIDGE. THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RIDGE, DOWN A RAVINE, AND CAME TO REST AFTER IMPACTING A TREE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4906G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4906G-1983-11-10), registration cancelled 1983-11-10, S/N 17273453, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 172N
- Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17273453
- Airframe hours: 877
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-H2AD 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Facilities Inc.
- Registered owner: Ronald M Cohen
- Departed: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Destination: AVX, AVALON, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 2,174 total, 48 in this make and model, 1,176 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAX, 38 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 19820221004879A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820221004879A), Feb 21, 1982: Cessna 172N, Catalina Island, CA, Substantial damage. Engine coughed and quit. Crash occurred during attempted emergency landing. No problem 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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