# NTSB LAX87LA024: Cessna 182M, N91797, Gila Bend, AZ, October 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1986, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Gila Bend, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.990539, -112.900268 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9905&lon=-112.9003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25460
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25460/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA024

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run
  - fuselage,seat - unlocked (cause)
  - fuselage,seat - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - nosewheel steering - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - loose gravel/sandy (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RWY DURING TAKEOFF GROUND RUN AND NOSED OVER. THE PLT INIDCATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF HIS SEAT SLID REARWARD AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE THROTTLE OR THE RUDDER PEDALS. THE ACFT DEPARTED THE RWY TO THE LEFT INTO VEGETATED DESERT TERRAIN. THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AND THE ACFT NOSED OVER. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT REVEALED THAT HARDWARE USED TO ASSEMBLE THE FORE-AFT SEAT ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY WAS INCORRECT. ONE COTTER PIN WAS INSTALLED INSTEAD OF A CLEVIS PIN WITH A SMALL COTTER PIN IN THE UPPER PORTION OF THE FORE-AFT SEAT ADJUSTMENT LOCKING PIN. ONE COTTER PIN WAS ALSO INSTALLED INSTEAD OF A ROLL-PIN ON THE LOWER PORTION OF THE SAME LOCKING PIN. THE INSTALLATION OF THE COTTER PINS ALLOWED TOO MUCH PLAY CAUSING THE FORE-AFT SEAT ADJUSTMENT LOCKING PIN NOT TO ENGAGE THE SEAT RAIL PROPERLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N91797](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N91797-1990-02-08), registration cancelled 1990-02-08, S/N 18259914 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182M
- Registry model: [Cessna 182M](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182m) (registry code 2072728) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18259914
- Airframe hours: 4071
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William D. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 22, 1986, 73 hours before
- Departed: GBN, GILA BEND, AZ
- Destination: SDM, SAN DIEGO, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: GBN, Gila Bend, runway 22, 3,800 × 76 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 412 total, 220 in this make and model, 261 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 16 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GBN, 6 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 19861022049679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861022049679A), Oct 22, 1986: Cessna 182M, Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway when the pilot seat slid back. Improper clevis and roll pin installation.

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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