# NTSB LAX90LA159: Cessna 182L, N42748, Bullhead City, AZ, April 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 29, 1990, 17:50 local (Apr 30, 1990, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Bullhead City, AZ
- Location: 35.1478° N, 114.5683° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bullhead City, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1478&lon=-114.5683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA159

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT PLANNING/PREPARATION AND FUEL CALCULATIONS WERE POOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel consumption calculations - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER AND THE PLT LANDED ON A HIGHWAY. THE LANDING WAS SUCCESSFUL BUT DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT THE PILOT EXECUTED AN EVASIVE MANEUVER TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH A TRUCK AND SUBSEQUENTLY COLLIDED WITH A FENCE. THE PLT DISMANTLED AND REMOVED THE AIRPLANE BEFORE NOTIFYING THE NTSB OR THE FAA. THE PLT CLAIMED THAT THE LEFT WING FUEL CAP BROKE SOMETIME IN FLT BUT FAILED TO PROVIDE THE SAFETY BOARD WITH THE FAILED CAP OR PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE. THE PLT'S ACTION INDICATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO MITIGATE THE ACCIDENT WHEN HE PURPOSELY REMOVED AND DISMANTLED THE WRECKAGE. THE SAFETY BOARD BELIEVES THE AIRPLANE SUSTAINED FUEL EXHAUSTION DUE TO THE PILOT'S POOR PREFLT PLANNING AND PREPARATION AND HIS MISCALCULATIONS OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL CONSUMPTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42748](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42748), registered now, S/N 18259173, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182L
- Registry model: [Cessna 182L](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182l) (registry code 2072726) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Unregistered, doing business as Edward, Mark
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: L15, HENDERSON, NV
- Destination: P06
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: P06, Bullhead City

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: EED

## 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 19900429012969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900429012969A), Apr 29, 1990: Cessna 182L, Bullhead City, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine quit near destination. Crashed landing on a road. Left tank cap opened siphoned fuel. Did not switch tanks.

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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