# NTSB LAX86LA338: Cessna 182B, N2710G, La Jolla, CA, August 30, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1986, 07:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: La Jolla, CA
- Coordinates: 32.859859, -117.239067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8599&lon=-117.2391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA338
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA338

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - water,rough
  - refueling - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - daylight
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - weather evaluation - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Ditching, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A CESSNA 182 DITCHED INTO THE OCEAN AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE WEATHER WAS INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE AREA. THE PILOT INDICATED THE FUEL GAUGES INDICATED LESS THAN 1/4 OF FUEL ON THE RIGHT TANK AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PILOT WAS SURE HE HAD 1 HOUR AND 45 MINUTES OF FUEL AT DEPARTURE TIME. THE FLIGHT TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 34 MINUTES. THE ACFT WAS NOT RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2710G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2710G-1988-04-06), registration cancelled 1988-04-06, S/N 52010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182B
- Registry model: [Cessna 182B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182b) (registry code 2072706) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52010
- Airframe hours: 3352
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael L. Saindon
- Registered owner: Michael Lee Saindon
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 28, 1986
- Departed: OCN, OCEANSIDE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 633 total, 380 in this make and model, 65 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 600 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRO

## 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 19860830043329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860830043329A), Aug 30, 1986: Cessna 182B, La Jolla, CA, Destroyed. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft was ditched in the ocean. VFR pilot flying in IFR weather.

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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