# NTSB LAX85LA186: Cessna 182P, N52711, Gila Bend, AZ, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1985, 12:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.990421, -112.900886 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9904&lon=-112.9009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24683
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24683/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA186

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - electrical system - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system - undetermined (cause)
- Fire, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - ignition system - shorted
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

WHILE IN CRUISE FLT THE ACFT'S HIGH VOLTAGE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ALTERNATOR CIRCUIT BREAKER POPPED OUT. THE PLT RESET THE BREAKER WHICH RESTORED OPERATION TO THE CIRCUIT. LATER IN THE FLT A FIRE ERUPTED BEHIND THE INSTRUMENTPANAL AND SOON THEREAFTER, ALL ENG PWR WAS LOST. THE COCKPIT FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE PLT GLIDED THE ACFT TO A FORCED LANDING. DURING ROLL OUT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH A PALO VERDE TREE. THE ACFT WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE COMPONENT/ ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WHICH INITIALLY MALFUNCTIONED AND THE RESULTANT FIRE'S POINT OF ORIGIN WERE NOT DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N52711 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18262788
- Airframe hours: 1538
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gary Rasmussen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1984
- Departed: L12, REDLANDS, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19850323011959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850323011959A), Mar 23, 1985: Cessna 182P, Gila Bend, AZ, Destroyed. Struck a tree during a forced landing after smoke filled cockpit. Previous indications of electrical problem.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.