# NTSB LAX83LA088: Cessna 182P, N9907M, Napa, CA, February 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 4, 1983, 13:40 local (21:40 UTC)
- Place: Napa, CA
- Coordinates: 38.550304, -122.150344 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5503&lon=-122.1503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23609
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23609/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA088

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PASSENGER, WHO WAS THE OWNER OF THE ACFT, PREFLIGHTED THE ACFT & STATED THE FUEL TANKS WERE OVER HALF FULL. THE PLT ALSO NOTED THAT BOTH FUEL GAUGES READ OVER HALF FULL. THE FLT DEPARTED OAKLAND AT 1310. ABOUT 10 MI FROM NAPA THE PLT BRIEFLY APPLIED CARB HEAT AT 2,500 FT. ABOUT 2 MIN LATER HE REAPPLIED CARB HEAT, REDUCED POWER TO 15 INCHES & DESCENDED TO PATTERN ALTITUDE. AT 1340, WHILE ON SHORT FINAL, THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO ADD POWER BUT THE ENG FAILED TO RESPOND. THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A SOFT DIRT FIELD WITHIN 1 MILE OF THE RWY. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE ACCIDENT SITE UNTIL 5 OR 6 WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LEFT TANK & ABOUT 4 GALS WAS DRAINED FROM THE RIGHT TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9907M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9907M-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 18264803 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264803
- Airframe hours: 1521
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: D.E. Douglas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1982, 71 hours before
- Departed: OAK, OAKLAND, CA
- Airport: APC, Napa County, runway 6, 5,007 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,268 total, 945 in this make and model, 1,131 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: APC, 1 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 19830204005299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830204005299A), Feb 4, 1983: Cessna 182P, Napa, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on final. Crash landed short of runway. Fuel selector was on an empty tank.4 gallons of fuel right tank

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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