# NTSB LAX82FA113: Cessna 177, N2952X, San Fernando, CA, March 20, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 20, 1982, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: San Fernando, CA
- Coordinates: 34.279228, -118.440475 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2792&lon=-118.4405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 3 minor; on the ground: 1 serious, 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72491
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA113
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72491/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA113

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - distance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED A TWO HOUR CHECK-OUT IN HIS RECENTLY PURCHASED AIRCRAFT. HE HAD ABOUT 6 TO 7 HOURS OF FLYING TIME IN THIS AIRCRAFT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED DURING HIS SECOND SOLO FLIGHT AFTER CHECK-OUT. AFTER ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT, THE PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND ON HIS FIRST APPROACH FOR LANDING. ON HIS SECOND APPROACH, HE CAME IN HIGH AND LONG. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED SEVERAL TIMES, THEN AN AUDIBLE INCREASE IN POWER WAS HEARD. THE AIRCRAFT WALLOWED OFF THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK A FLAGPOLE, A FENCE, AND A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. AN EXPLOSION OCCURRED AND A FIRE ERUPTED BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST AT A STREET INTERSECTION. FOUR CHILDREN WERE SITTING ON A ROCK NEAR THE CRASH SITE. ONE WAS STRUCK BY AN UNDETERMINED OBJECT AND HOSPITALIZED. THE OTHER THREE RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES WHILE SCRAMBLING OUT OF THE WAY. FLIGHT CONTROL CONTINUITY WAS VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2952X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2952X-1982-08-24), registration cancelled 1982-08-24, S/N 17700352, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 177
- Registry model: [Cessna 177](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-177) (registry code 2073704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 17700352
- Airframe hours: 2700
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jerry Laverne Slater
- Registered owner: Roger D And Marilyne Simmouds
- Departed: LOS ANGELES, CA
- Destination: 44S, SHERIDAN, OR
- Airport: runway 19, 2,280 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 280 total, 7 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 142 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY, 6 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 19820320019359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820320019359A), Mar 20, 1982: Cessna 177, Los Angeles, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft porpoised on landing. Inexperienced pilot attempted go around, aircraft hit flagpole and traffic light

## Other investigations on N2952X (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX72DUQ68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUQ68), Feb 3, 1972: Cessna 177 (N2952X), S. Susana, CA, substantial damage

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.