# NTSB LAX83LA412: Cessna 182A, N6055B, South Dos Palos, CA, August 29, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1983, 19:15 local (Aug 29, 1983, 02:15 UTC)
- Place: South Dos Palos, CA
- Coordinates: 36.959671, -120.65052 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9597&lon=-120.6505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA412
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA412

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, descent
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

WHILE DESCENDING TOWARD THE ARPT, AFTER 4 PARACHUTE JUMPERS HAD EGRESSED, THE ENG LOSS ALL POWER. THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO GLIDE TO THE ARPT, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN AREA WITH RICE PADDIES. AS THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN, IT ENCOUNTERED A DIKE & NOSED OVER, AN EXAM REVEALED THAT SOME FUEL WAS REMAINING IN THE FUEL TANKS. ABOUT 1 PINT OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE FIRE WALL FUEL STRAINER. NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYS. APRX 25 MI SOUTH AT MERCED, CA, THE TEMP & DEW POINT WERE 87 & 50 DEG, RESPECTIVE. ACCORDING TO ICG PROBABILITY CHARTS, CARB ICE WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE AT GLIDE POWER; HOWEVER, ICING WAS NOT VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6055B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6055B-2013-07-02), registration cancelled 2013-07-02, S/N 34055, built 1957 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34055
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald E. Balch
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: Q38, SOUTH DOS PALOS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 325° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MER, 25 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 19830828070169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830828070169A), Aug 28, 1983: Cessna 182A, South Dos Palos, CA, Substantial damage. Forced landing in a rice paddy due to a reported engine failure. No engine defects noted on post accident runup.

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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