# NTSB LAX89LA220: Commonwealth 185, N92827, Sacramento, CA, June 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1989, 16:43 local (23:43 UTC)
- Place: Sacramento, CA
- Coordinates: 38.510253, -121.490135 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5103&lon=-121.4901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA220

## Probable cause

FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE THE FUEL LOAD PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED FUEL EXHAUSTION DURING CRUISE ABOUT TWO MILES FROM THE INTENDED DESTINATION AIRPORT. THE PILOT LANDED ON A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FIELD AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP PRIOR TO COLLIDING WITH A FENCE. THE PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD 'NEVER BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETELY TRUST THE FUEL QUANTITY INDICATORS,' AND, THAT VISUAL CHECKS OF THE FUEL TANKS WERE NOT ACCURATE DUE TO THE GROUND ATTITUDE OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT NOTED THAT HE USED A SYSTEM OF FUEL USAGE CALCULATION VERSUS AMOUNT OF FUEL LOADED ONBOARD TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD NOT USED A FUEL DIP STICK DEVICE TO QUANTIFY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92827](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92827), registered now, S/N 1623 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: COMMONWEALTH 185
- Registry model: [Commonwealth 185](https://openairdocs.org/model/commonwealth-185) (registry code 2370608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1623
- Airframe hours: 1017
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brostrom, Bruce O.
- Registered owner: Bruce O Bostrom
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 23, 1989, 18 hours before
- Departed: O22, COLUMBIA, CA
- Destination: SAC
- Airport: SAC, Sacramento Exec., runway 20, 5,503 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; flight engineer, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 8,902 total, 112 in this make and model, 4,769 as pilot in command, 135 in the last 90 days, 37 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 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 19890617015939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890617015939A), Jun 17, 1989: Cessna 185, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Landed on a football field. Overshot and struck a fence. Failed to ascertain fuel status.

## Other investigations on N92827 (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 SEA07CA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA176), Jun 22, 2007: Commonwealth 185 (N92827), Redlands, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation which resulted in the airplane's lack of climb performance and subsequent collision with terrain. Contributing factors included the downdraft and the high…

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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