# NTSB LAX87LA169: Cessna 182Q, N4828N, Needles, CA, April 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 5, 1987, 13:40 local (20:40 UTC)
- Place: Needles, CA
- Coordinates: 34.780158, -114.590934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.7802&lon=-114.5909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25558
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25558/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - altitude - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - buzzing - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

A CESSNA 182Q COLLIDED WITH AN UNMARKED 50 FT HIGH CABLE OVER THE COLORADO RIVER. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED FLYING BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE CABLE ROCKING ITS WINGS TO BOATERS AND SUNBATHERS. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT THE ACFT 'BUZZED US, SO LOW, I ACTUALLY DUCKED, THINKING HE WOULD HIT US.' THE ACFT THEN STARTED A CLIMB AT WHICH TIME IT COLLIDED WITH THE CABLE. THE CABLE IS PART OF A GAGE STATION WHICH MEASURES THE HEIGHT OF THE COLORADO RIVER. THE CABLE SPANS 548.8 FT BETWEEN THE RIVER BANKS AND IS 1 1/8 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND CONSTRUCTED WITH 37 GALVANIZED PLOW STEEL STRANDS. THE CABLE CROSSING IS NOT MARKED ON THE PHOENIX SECTIONAL CHART, BUT THE CROSSING FALLS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF A NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AREA. PILOTS ARE REQUESTED TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM ALTITUDE OF 2,000 FT ABOVE THE SURFACE OF THESE AREAS. IN ADDITION THE FAR 91.79 RESTRICTS THE OPERATION OF AN ACFT TO NO CLOSER THAN 500 FT TO ANY PERSON, VESSEL, VEHICLE, OR STRUCTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4828N (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18267398
- Airframe hours: 1582
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Altoff Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 1986, 115 hours before
- Departed: EED, NEEDLES, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,007 total, 115 in this make and model, 2,846 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: EED, 4 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 19870405008289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870405008289A), Apr 5, 1987: Cessna 182Q, Needles, CA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Buzzed boaters on a river, struck a cable over the river. Crashed into water. Flying in national park restricted area

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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