# NTSB LAX82FA130: Cessna 177, N30162, Torrance, CA, April 9, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1982, 12:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Location: 33.8305° N, 118.3566° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Torrance, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8305&lon=-118.3566&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 9, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72847
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FA130
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72847/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FA130

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, company/operator management
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

BEFORE DEPARTING ON THE INITIAL FLIGHT FROM LOS ANGELES, CA, THE PILOT DRAINED A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER FROM THE FUEL TANKS. AFTER MAKING A BATTERY START, THE PILOT AND TWO PASSENGERS DEPARTED ON A FLIGHT TO THE SANTA CATALINA AIRPORT WHERE THEY HAD LUNCH. FROM THERE, THEY FLEW TO TORRANCE, CA AND REFUELED WITH 27 GALLONS OF 80/87 OCTANE FUEL BEFORE RETURNING TO LOS ANGELES. DURING THE DEPARTURE FROM TORRANCE, THE PLANE WAS OBSERVED IN A SHALLOW CLIMB. DURING THE CLIMB, THE ENGINE WAS HEARD TO DECREASE IN POWER. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A STEEP BANK, THE BANK WAS SHALLOWED OUT, AND THEN A STEEP BANK WAS REENTERED. AFTER THAT, THE NOSE DROPPED, THE AIRCRAFT DOVE TOWARD THE GROUND, THEN CRASHED AND BURNED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND A DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS DATED 3/17/81. THE LAST ANNUAL OF THE ENGINE WAS DATED 2/22/80.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30162](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30162-1984-11-05), registration cancelled 1984-11-05, S/N 17701090 (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: 17701090
- Airframe hours: 1602
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Airesearch Flying Club
- Registered owner: Airesearch Flying Club
- Departed: TOA, TORRANCE, CA
- Destination: LAX, LOS ANGELES, CA
- Airport: TOA, Torrance Muni, runway 29R, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 152 total, 10 in this make and model, 61 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOA

## 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 19820409008759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820409008759A), Apr 9, 1982: Cessna 177, Torrance, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Witness heard engine miss on slow takeoff climb, aircraft then stalled and spun from a steep turn back to airport.

## Other investigations on N30162 (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 LAX72DUG44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX72DUG44), Jan 2, 1972: Cessna 177 (N30162), Riverside, 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.

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