# NTSB LAX91LA025: Cessna 182Q, N759ED, Pacoima, CA, November 10, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 10, 1990, 09:18 local (17:18 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.250347, -118.410629 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2503&lon=-118.4106&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27055
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA025
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27055/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA025

## Probable cause

AN ENGINE FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - fluid,fuel grade - incorrect
  - refueling - improper, pilot in command
- Forced landing, approach
- In flight collision with object, approach
  - object - building(nonresidential)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED AN ENGINE FAILURE JUST AFTER TAKEOFF. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE PROPELLER WAS STOPPED AS THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED TOWARD A CITY STREET. IT IMPACTED ON THE ROOF OF A COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURING BUILDING, THEN CONTINUED TO GROUND IMPACT. THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF PREIMPACT MALFUNCTION. A SMALL QUANTITY OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE PRIMER LINE WHICH WAS SIMILAR IN COLOR AND SMELL TO AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS ON THE AIRPORT STATED THAT THE PILOT USED AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE, AND THAT HE HAD REFUELED FROM FIVE GALLON GAS CANS HE BROUGHT TO THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL TYPE CERTIFICATE PERMITTING THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N759ED](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N759ED-1998-08-17), registration cancelled 1998-08-17, S/N 18265927 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182Q
- Registry model: [Cessna 182Q](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182q) (registry code 2072732) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18265927
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-U 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Harold L. Wessel
- Destination: MMH, MAMMOTH, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; flight hours: 711 total, 500 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: BUR, 3 nm away

## 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 19901110049689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901110049689A), Nov 10, 1990: Cessna 182Q, Los Angeles, CA, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout. Struck building on forced landing. Using auto fuel no STC. Fueled from cans. Dirt a factor

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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