# NTSB LAX87LA152: Cessna 182Q, N759V, Palm Springs, CA, March 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1987, 17:55 local (Mar 20, 1987, 01:55 UTC)
- Place: Palm Springs, CA
- Location: 33.8198° N, 116.4940° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from PALM SPRINGS INTL (PSP), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8198&lon=-116.4940&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA152
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA152

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - wind information - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - total, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - inaccurate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED APPROXIMATELY 50 KNOT HEADWINDS. THE PLT HAD DIVERTED ONCE TO REFUEL AND HAD EXPECTED TO FLY DIRECT TO THE FINAL DESTINATION. HOWEVER, WHILE ENROUTE ON THE FINAL LEG OF THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL. THE PLT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY AIRPORT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PLT NOTIFIED THE CONTROL TOWER THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759V), registered now, S/N 18266286, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266286
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Rainbow Aviation
- Registered owner: Dougherty,Theodore L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: FMN, FARMINGTON, NM
- Destination: FUL, FULLERTON, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: PSP, Palm Springs, runway 30, 8,500 × 150 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 231 total, 23 in this make and model, 132 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 280° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PSP, 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 19870319006479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870319006479A), Mar 19, 1987: Cessna 182Q, Palm Springs, CA, Substantial damage. The engine failed from fuel exhaustion and the aircraft impacted short of the runway. Strong headwinds en route.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.