# NTSB LAX89LA264: Cessna 182, N5070H, Parker Dam, CA, August 5, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 5, 1989, 15:55 local (22:55 UTC)
- Place: Parker Dam, CA
- Coordinates: 34.279052, -114.17984 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2791&lon=-114.1798&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26468
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA264
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26468/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA264

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAY IN MAKING A GO-AROUND, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE TERRAIN DURING THE ABORTED LANDING. THE RUNWAY/TERRAIN CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER ARRIVING OVER LAKE HAVASU, THE PLT NOTED THAT HE STILL HAD ABOUT 2 HRS BEFORE HE WAS TO BE MET BY FRIENDS. HE DECIDED TO FLY ALONG THE LAKE FOR SOME SIGHT-SEEING. HE SPOTTED A SMALL AIRSTRIP WHICH WAS CLOSER TO HIS ULTIMATE DESTINATION & HE ELECTED TO LAND. THE PLT SAID HE ENTERED THE PATTERN FOR THE SOUTH BOUND RUNWAY & TOUCHED DOWN IN A NORMAL POSITION. JUST AFTER TOUCHDOWN, HE NOTICED A 'RAIN EROSION DEPRESSION' ACROSS THE DIRT AIRSTRIP. HE ABORTED THE LANDING & PROCEEDED WITH A GO-AROUND. AT THAT POINT, HE SAW A LARGE ROCK HILL AT THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PLT SAID THAT AT THE RATE THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING IT WOULD NOT CLEAR THE HILL & HE BEGAN A LEFT TURN TO AVOID THE RISING TERRAIN. DURING THE TURN, THE LEFT WING HIT THE GROUND & THE ACFT CRASHED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5070H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5070H-1995-06-08), registration cancelled 1995-06-08, S/N 18267858 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182R](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182r) (registry code 2072731) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18287858
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Budincich, Michael N.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: EMT, EL MONTE, CA
- Airport: NONE, Lake Havasu Palms, runway 18, 3,000 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 267 total, 109 in this make and model, 204 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 108 °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 19890805027399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890805027399A), Aug 5, 1989: Cessna 182R, Parker Dam, CA, Substantial damage. Noted erosion on dirt airstrip. Aborted landing,began go around. Stalled,avoiding rock cliff hit wing and cartwheeled

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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