# NTSB LAX91FA344: Cessna 182P, N1315S, Lovelock, NV, August 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1991, 13:26 local (20:26 UTC)
- Place: Lovelock, NV
- Coordinates: 40.319702, -118.200759 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3197&lon=-118.2008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA344
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA344

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE, AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL SCAN.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - wire,static (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS HEADED EASTBOUND WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH THE TOP STATIC CABLE OF A NORTH-SOUTH POWER TRANSMISSION LINE. THE POWER LINE CABLES PARALLELED A MOUNTAIN RANGE ON THE EASTERN SLOPE.  THE CABLES WERE DOWN SLOPE FROM THE AIRPLANES DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND WERE NOT SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE SKY WHEN VIEWED FROM THE WEST.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE CABLE AT ABOUT MID-SPAN OF THE APPROXIMATE 1/2 MILE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE CABLE SUPPORT TOWERS.  ONE OF THE TOWERS WAS MASKED FROM THE PILOT'S VIEW BY TERRAIN FROM THE DIRECTION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FLIGHT PATH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1315S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1315S-1992-01-13), registration cancelled 1992-01-13, S/N 18264879 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182P
- Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 64879
- Airframe hours: 1460
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Luftstorm Inc
- Registered owner: Luftstorm Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 1991, 7 hours before
- Departed: RNO, RENO, NV
- Destination: BAM, BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NV

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 668 total, 412 in this make and model, 610 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LOL, 7 nm away

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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