# NTSB LAX87FA146: Cessna 182R, N3143E, Avenal, CA, March 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1987, 19:33 local (Mar 16, 1987, 03:33 UTC)
- Place: Avenal, CA
- Coordinates: 35.890281, -120.069824 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8903&lon=-120.0698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 1, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25389
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA146
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25389/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA146

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
  - light condition - night (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT, WITH SUSPENDED COMMERICAL PRIVILEGES & NO CURRENT MEDICAL CERT, BORROWED HIS PARENTS ACFT. WHILE FLYING ALONG AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT, THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH ELECTRICAL TRANSMISSION LINES & CRASHED. INITIAL IMPACT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 115' AGL. THE PLT HAD BEEN DENIED A MEDICAL CERT BECAUSE OF ALCOHOLISM. THE CORONER RPRTD HE HAD A BLOOD/ALCOHOL LVL OF 0.25%.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3143E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3143E-1989-03-09), registration cancelled 1989-03-09, S/N 18268235 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182R
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18268235
- Airframe hours: 1345
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: Both
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: R. R. Mclain, Jr. & B. Mclain
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1986, 45 hours before
- Departed: VIS, VISALIA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 360° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC, 17 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 19870315082949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870315082949A), Mar 15, 1987: Cessna 182R, Avenal, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Struck powerlines, exploded and crashed. Pilot license revoked for alcoholism. Autopsy high blood alcohol and drugs

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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