# NTSB LAX82FUG07: Cessna 182, N21409, Blythe, CA, March 13, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 12, 1982, 20:30 local (Mar 13, 1982, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Blythe, CA
- Location: 33.6535° N, 114.6218° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Blythe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6535&lon=-114.6218&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69991
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FUG07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69991/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FUG07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - miscellaneous - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - carburetor heat control - movement restricted
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER AT NIGHT WHILE THE AIRCRAFT WAS EN ROUTE AT ABOUT 18,000 FT MSL. THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. WHILE TRYING TO START THE ENGINE, HE NOTED THAT THE CARBURETOR HEAT WOULD NOT GO FULL ON OR FULL OFF. THE PILOT ASKED FOR VECTORS TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO SEE IT FROM ABOUT 7.5 MILES. HE WAS UNAWARE THAT HE HAD TO KEY THE MICROPHONE BUTTON FIVE TIMES ON 122.8 MHZ TO TURN ON THE RUNWAY LIGHTS. HE WAS ABLE TO SEE A HIGHWAY AND CAR LIGHTS FROM ABOUT 17,000 FT MSL. WHILE LANDING ON THE HIGHWAY IN HEAVY RAIN, THE LEFT WING AND ENGINE STRUCK TREES BESIDE THE ROADWAY. AN EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N21409](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N21409-1984-03-27), registration cancelled 1984-03-27, S/N 18261620 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61620
- Airframe hours: 3019
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 265 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James Wheeler
- Registered owner: James Wheeler
- Departed: POLAMAR, CA
- Destination: PHOENIX, AZ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,313 total, 852 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- 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 19820312003789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820312003789A), Mar 12, 1982: Cessna 182P, Blythe, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit at 17,500 feet in heavy rain. Pilot could not restart. Crashed during night emergency landing.

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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