# NTSB LAX87FA207: Cessna 182L, N42814, Santa Monica, CA, May 17, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1987, 14:43 local (21:43 UTC)
- Place: Santa Monica, CA
- Coordinates: 34.010211, -118.460403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0102&lon=-118.4604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25401
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87FA207
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25401/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87FA207

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - throttle/power lever,bellcrank - disconnected (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - condition(s)/step(s) in error, fbo personnel (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, fbo personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,overhaul - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT LOST POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND CRASHED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. THE THROTTLE ARM WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE THROTTLE SHAFT. THE ARM HAD BEEN REPLACED 19 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT THE SHAFT BUSHING WAS WORN AND LOOSE AND THAT THE JAWS OF THE NEW ARM WERE CLOSED COMPLETELY BUT PRODUCING NO CLAMPING ACTION. SUBSEQUENT TESTS OF THE ARM AND SHAFT REVEALED THAT THE ARM WOULD SLIP EASILY ON AND OFF THE SHAFT. TESTS ALSO ESTABLISHED THAT THE RECOMMENDED METHOD OF SAFETY WIRING THE ARM TO THE SHAFT DID NOT RETAIN THE ARM ON THE SHAFT. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY DID NOT PERFORM THE FINAL INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR OWN FAA APPROVED REPAIR STATION MANUAL. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY HAD RECOMMENDED A MAJOR CARBURETOR OVERHAUL TO THE PLT/OWNER BUT HE REFUSED BECAUSE OF THE QUOTED PRICE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42814](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42814-1989-07-11), registration cancelled 1989-07-11, S/N 18259201 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259201
- Airframe hours: 2645
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tom A. Robinson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1986, 54 hours before
- Departed: SMD
- Airport: SMO, Santa Monica, runway 21, 4,987 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 504 total, 408 in this make and model, 471 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMO, 1 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 19870517013539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870517013539A), May 17, 1987: Cessna 182L, Santa Monica, CA, Destroyed. Engine went to idle on climbout. Hit tree and parked cars on landing in a street. Throttle arm had separated. Worn.

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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