# NTSB LAX90LA077: Cessna 182Q, N759KM, Watsonville, CA, March 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 11, 1990, 11:15 local (19:15 UTC)
- Place: Watsonville, CA
- Coordinates: 36.950317, -121.720146 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9503&lon=-121.7201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26726
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26726/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA077

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF THE COMMERCIAL PILOT INADVERTENTLY PROCEEDED INTO A SIX-INCH DEEP, TWO FOOT BY TWO FOOT WIDE, POT HOLE. THE IMPACT BUCKLED THE FIREWALL. THE PILOT ACKNOWLEDGED THAT PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT HE HAD BEEN AWARE OF THE POT HOLE'S EXISTENCE AND MISJUDGED THE AIRPLANE'S DISTANCE FROM IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759KM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N759KM), registered now, S/N 18266055, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18266055
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: United Flight
- Destination: WVI
- Airport: WVI, Watsonville Muni.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 750 total, 600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900311007529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900311007529A), Mar 11, 1990: Cessna 182Q, Watsonville, CA, Substantial damage. Taxied into a pot hole in parking area. Bent nose gear and firewall.

## Other investigations on N759KM (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 LAX91LA278](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA278), Jun 25, 1991: Cessna 182Q (N759KM), Watsonville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER FLARE AND IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: GUSTY WINDS, THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND THE PILOT'S…

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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