# NTSB LAX85LA352: Cessna 182K, N3169Q, Pioneer, CA, August 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1985, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Pioneer, CA
- Coordinates: 38.519172, -120.380485 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5192&lon=-120.3805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA352
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA352

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel supply - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PLT ESTABLISHED THAT 45.5 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE LOADED ON THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, THE DAY PRIOR TO THEACCIDENT. THE FLT FLEW DIRECT TO MINDEN, NEVADA, A STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE OF 170 NM, WHERE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT SAID HE DID A NORMAL PREFLIGHT BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANK LEVELS. ON THE RETURN FLT TO WATSONVILLE, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. ACFT RETRIEVERS REPORTED COMPLETE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM INTEGRITY AND ONLY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TANKS WHEN THE ACFT WAS REMOVED FROM THE SITE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3169Q (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182K
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18258169
- Airframe hours: 2649
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 SERIES 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl L. Cutshaw
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1984, 20 hours before
- Departed: MEV, MINDEN, NV
- Destination: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 819 total, 225 in this make and model, 769 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 15 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 19850816039199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850816039199A), Aug 16, 1985: Cessna 182K, Pioneer, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to visually check fuel level before flight. Fuel exhaustion en route. Struck trees landing on a highway.

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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