# NTSB LAX89LA117: Cessna 182C, N8923T, Adalanto, CA, February 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 14, 1989, 16:00 local (Feb 15, 1989, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Adalanto, CA
- Coordinates: 34.660099, -117.510513 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6601&lon=-117.5105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26343
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26343/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA117

## Probable cause

THE PILOT WAS INATTENTIVE, DID NOT MAINTAIN PROPER ALIGNMENT WITH THE RUNWAY AND DID NOT MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT DURING TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED TWO TO THREE FEET OFF CENTERLINE. THE PILOT DID NOT CORRECT THE SITUATION WHEN THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE NOSE WHEEL COLLAPSED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. AFTER THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS EVACUATED THE AIRPLANE, THE PILOT NOTED THAT THE LEFT WING HAD CONTACTED A SMALL TREE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT HE DID NOT SEE DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT SAID HE WAS USING A ROAD NEXT TO THE RUNWAY AND INDICATED THAT HE HAD HURRIED HIS DEPARTURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8923T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8923T-1991-08-16), registration cancelled 1991-08-16, S/N 52823 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182C
- Registry model: [Cessna 182C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182c) (registry code 2072708) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 52823
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David C. Rigsby
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: SMO, SANTA MONICA, CA
- Airport: Sun Hill Ranch, runway 27, 5,300 × 90 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,083 total, 269 in this make and model, 1,017 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

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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