# NTSB LAX89LA317: Cessna 182, N8579M, Zenia, CA, September 21, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 20, 1989, 17:30 local (Sep 21, 1989, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Zenia, CA
- Location: 40.2054° N, 123.4920° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Zenia, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2054&lon=-123.4920&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26505
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26505/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA317

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REALIZE THAT THE FLAPS DID NOT EXTEND, WHICH RESULTED IN EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED. THE SEIZED FLAP ACTUATOR WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - flight control,flap attachment - seized (contributing factor)
  - lowering of flaps - not possible
  - lowering of flaps - not identified, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - intentional, pilot in command
  - object - fence (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE VFR FLIGHT, CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR 135, WAS ROUTINE UNTIL ARRIVING AT SHANNON AIRPORT. AFTER CIRCLING THE ARPT, THE PILOT EXECUTED TWO GO-AROUNDS, BECAUSE HE HAD NOT SLOWED THE AIRPLANE SUFFICIENTLY. HE STATED THAT HE LANDED ON THE THIRD APPROACH, BUT THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS TOO HIGH. REALIZING THAT HE WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE. THIS CAUSED IT TO EXIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDE WITH A FENCE. A POST-ACDNT EXAM DISCLOSED THAT THE FLAP ACTUATOR JACKSCREW HAD SEIZED IN THE UP POSITION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8579M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8579M-2000-04-05), registration cancelled 2000-04-05, S/N 18264633 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18264633
- Airframe hours: 6009
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Comstock Air Services
- Registered owner: Comstock Air Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 25, 1989, 11 hours before
- Departed: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 2Q4, Shannon, runway 18, 2,520 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 960 total, 102 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19890920035619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890920035619A), Sep 20, 1989: Cessna 182P, Zenia, CA, Substantial damage. Ground looped into fence at end of runway to avoid overrun. Flap limit switch allowed flaps to jam in up position.

## Other investigations on N8579M (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 LAX99FA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99FA078), Jan 20, 1999: Cessna 182P (N8579M), Danville, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's disregard for the preflight weather briefing, and his intentional continuation into adverse weather conditions.

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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