# NTSB LAX86LA173: Cessna 182A, N5925B, Death Valley, CA, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1986, 16:50 local (Apr 12, 1986, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Death Valley, CA
- Coordinates: 36.599903, -116.82946 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5999&lon=-116.8295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA173

## 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
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight manuals - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - performance data - not understood, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TERRAIN AFTER A LOSS OF PWR 50 YARDS SHORT OF THE RWY. THE PLT STATED HE USED VARIOUS FUEL SELECTOR POSITIONS WHILE EN ROUTE. UPON ENTRY INTO THE TRAFFIC PATTERN ON A RIGHT DOWNWIND, THE LEFT TANK WAS SELECTED. ON FINAL APCH THE PLT REALIZED HE WAS TOO HIGH AND ENTERED A LEFT WING LOW SLIP. WHEN HE REACHED HIS DESIRED ALT HE ATTEMPTED TO ARREST THE SINK RATE BY APPLYING PWR. WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS APPLIED, THE ENG DID NOT RESPOND AND THE ACFT LANDED SHORT AND NOSED OVER. THE ACFT WAS OPERATING USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE (STC) NUMBER SA694GL. THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE STC CAUTIONS THE PLT STATING, 'DO NOT OPEN A CARBURETOR THROTTLE ABRUPTLY AFTER IDLING IN FLIGHT. TO DO SO MAY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP.' THE ACFT OPERATING MANUAL STATES THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR SHOULD BE POSITIONED ON BOTH TANKS FOR TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5925B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5925B-2013-04-24), registration cancelled 2013-04-24, S/N 33925, built 1956 (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: 33925
- Airframe hours: 5359
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John M. Donavan
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 9, 1986, 145 hours before
- Departed: Q94, RIO LINDA, CA
- Destination: LO6, DEATH VALLEY, CA
- Airport: L06, Death Valley, runway 15, 3,040 × 70 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 800 total, 748 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DRA, 42 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 19860411011539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860411011539A), Apr 11, 1986: Cessna STC182, Death Valley, CA, Substantial damage. Approach was high and after correcting to glidepath, engine did not respond to throttle. Landed short.

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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