# NTSB LAX83FUG01: Cougar A, N87DS, El Mirage, CA, October 3, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: October 3, 1982, 16:45 local (23:45 UTC)
- Place: El Mirage, CA
- Location: 34.6022° N, 117.6312° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of El Mirage, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6022&lon=-117.6312&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70563
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FUG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70563/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FUG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power lever - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - mixture control - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - mixture control - other (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING ON THE DESERT. THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED SAND AND NOSED OVER. THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT HAD A COMMON BRACKET FOR THROTTLE AND MIXTURE. ADVANCING THE THROTTLE WOULD LEANED THE MIXTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87DS-1983-02-12), registration cancelled 1983-02-12, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COUGAR A
- Registry model: [Scherer COUGER-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/scherer-couger-a) (registry code 6250211) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 1107
- Engines: FRANKLIN SPORT 4 reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roland D. Scherer
- Registered owner: Roland D. Scherer
- Departed: L69, EL MIRAGE, CA
- Destination: CPM, COMPTON, CA
- Airport: L69, El Mirage, runway 25, 3,700 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 208 total, 112 in this make and model, 207 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 185 °F

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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