# NTSB LAX88LA244: Cessna TR182, N736UX, Niland, CA, July 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 6, 1988, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Niland, CA
- Coordinates: 33.299488, -115.550033 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2995&lon=-115.5500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26051
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX88LA244
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26051/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX88LA244

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - rotation - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN ON A DIRT ROAD, WITNESSES STATED THAT THE PILOT HAD LIFTED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE SO HIGH THAT THE TAIL DRAGGED ON THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE BECAME ENTANGLED IN WEEDS NEAR THE ROAD, THE PILOT LOST CONTROL AND THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N736UX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N736UX-1990-11-21), registration cancelled 1990-11-21, S/N R18200774 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182
- Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: R18200774
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Golden Valley Flying Service
- Registered owner: Vecchio, Francois
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 1988, 112 hours before
- Destination: IPL, IMPERIAL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,292 total, 136 in this make and model, 1,263 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 115 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19880706027379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880706027379A), Jul 6, 1988: Cessna TR182, Niland, CA, Substantial damage. Had run out of fuel. Landed in a field. Refueled. Rotated too much on takeoff,tail caught in bushes. Acft hit ditch

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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