# NTSB LAX87LA123: Cessna 182G, N3683U, Vallecito, CA, February 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1987, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Vallecito, CA
- Coordinates: 38.08031, -120.450195 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0803&lon=-120.4502&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25527
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA123
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25527/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA123

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - improper (cause)
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - disconnected (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

A CESSNA 182G COLLIDED WITH THE RWY SURFACE AFTER THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED AT A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE NOSE GEAR TURNED 90 DEGREES DURING THE LANDING ROLL THEN COLLAPSED. PILOT EXAMINED THE NOSE GEAR AFTER THE ACCIDENT AND DISCOVERED THE BOLT ATTACHING THE UPPER TORQUE LINK ASSEMBLY MISSING. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF DAMAGE WHERE THE BOLT CONNECTS THE TORQUE LINK ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING ARM ASSEMBLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3683U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3683U-2012-11-08), registration cancelled 2012-11-08, S/N 18255083, built 1963 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna 182G](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182g) (registry code 2072716) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255083
- Airframe hours: 3681
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven Fairchild
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1986, 76 hours before
- Departed: VALLEY SPRINGS, CA
- Destination: VALLECITO, CA
- Airport: Private Airstrip, runway 10, 880 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,837 total, 1,903 in this make and model, 2,837 as pilot in command, 64 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SCK, 32 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 19870220003989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870220003989A), Feb 20, 1987: Cessna 182G, Vallecito, CA, Substantial damage. The nose wheel turned 90 degrees on landing and collapsed the gear. The torque link bolt was missing.

## Other investigations on N3683U (1)

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.

- [NTSB UNK64X1061](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X1061), Mar 27, 1964: Cessna 182 (N3683U), Blythe, CA, substantial damage

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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