# NTSB LAX90LA124: Cessna 182A, N6181B, Sandy Valley, NV, March 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1990, 19:30 local (Mar 25, 1990, 03:30 UTC)
- Place: Sandy Valley, NV
- Coordinates: 35.749534, -115.529403 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7495&lon=-115.5294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26760
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26760/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA124

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S POOR FLIGHT PLANNING AND POOR INFLIGHT DECISIONS RESULTING IN BECOMING LOST AND EXHAUSTING FUEL BEFORE LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach
  - preflight planning/preparation - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - became lost/disoriented - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER TRANSMISSION WIRES AFTER A LOSS OF POWER. THE STUDENT PILOT INDICATED THAT HE BECAME LOST AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN A FIELD WHEN THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES DURING THE LANDING ATTEMPT. THE STUDENT PILOT STATED HE 'DID NOT SEE THE POWER LINES' AND THAT THE COLLISION WITH THE LINES CAUSED THE CRASH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6181B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6181B-2014-09-02), registration cancelled 2014-09-02, S/N 34181 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34181
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon R. Dietz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: R1R, RIVERSIDE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; student; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 200 total, 200 in this make and model, 200 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 28° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS

## 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 19900324005279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900324005279A), Mar 24, 1990: Cessna 182A, Sandy Valley, NV, Substantial damage. Off course and lost at night. Ran out of fuel. Hit powerlines on forced landing. Plane and pilot not licensed.

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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