# NTSB LAX83LA176: Cessna 182H, N2353X, Ruth, CA, April 5, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1983, 17:15 local (Apr 5, 1983, 01:15 UTC)
- Place: Ruth, CA
- Coordinates: 40.460029, -123.669982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4600&lon=-123.6700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23666
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA176
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23666/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA176

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER LANDING AT RUTH, CA, THE ACFT WAS REFUELED WITH APRX 38 GAL OF 80/87 OCTANE AVIATION FUEL. DURING TAKEOFF, ABOUT 15 MIN AFTER LANDING, THE ENG LOST POWER AS THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 200 TO 300 FT AGL. THE PLT LANDED STRAIGHT AHEAD IN THE BEST AVAILABLE FIELD. APRX 50 FT AFTER TOUCHDOWN ON MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES. WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS, FUEL STRAINER & CARBURETOR. THE FUEL PUMP AT THE ARPT WAS CHECKED & WATER WAS ALSO FOUND AT THAT SOURCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2353X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2353X-1984-01-10), registration cancelled 1984-01-10, S/N 18256253 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182H
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 182156253
- Airframe hours: 1650
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard M. Klein
- Registered owner: Edward F. Burgess
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CA
- Destination: ZENIA, CA
- Airport: Q95, Ruth, runway 31, 3,170 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,112 total, 80 in this make and model, 967 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19830404013119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830404013119A), Apr 4, 1983: Cessna 182H, Ruth, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Crashed two miles from airport. Found water in fuel and fuel source at airport.

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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