# NTSB LAX91LA115: Cessna 182P, N182WS, Pacoima, CA, March 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1991, 11:48 local (19:48 UTC)
- Place: Pacoima, CA
- Coordinates: 34.249946, -118.410789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2499&lon=-118.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27124
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA115
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27124/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA115

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PIC TO ENSURE THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FREE OF WATER PRIOR TO FLIGHT.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE COMPLIANCE WITH AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES BY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL TO PRECLUDE WATER FROM ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - single engine aircraft
  - fuel system - contamination (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,cap - leak (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, company maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - water
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CERTIFICATED AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT/CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR AND A CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT/INSTRUMENT STUDENT WERE DEPARTING ON AN INSTRUMENT TRAINING FLIGHT. ABOUT 250 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE QUIT AND AN EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE BY THE CFI IN A WATER COVERED FLOOD CONTROL BASIN. THE AIRPLANE WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE PILOTS WERE NOT INJURED. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM REVEALED THE PRESENCE OF WATER IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL. HEAVY RAIN PRECEDED THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE FUEL CAPS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN LEAKING AROUND THE 'O' RING SEALS, AND WRINKLING OF THE FUEL BLADDER BOTTOMS WAS LOCATED. LONG TERM LEAKING OF FUEL FROM THE RIGHT FUEL CAP ON THE UPPER SURFACE OF THE WING WAS ALSO FOUND. AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES PERTAINING TO THE FUEL CAPS AND BLADDER WRINKLES WERE REPORTEDLY COMPLIED WITH AT THE LAST ANNUAL INSPECTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N182WS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N182WS-2000-06-21), registration cancelled 2000-06-21, S/N 18264263 (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: 18264263
- Airframe hours: 1956
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-S 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Sun Quest Aviation
- Registered owner: Chessman, Abramson, Mcmonagle
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, February 7, 1991, 27 hours before
- Departed: WHP, PACOIMA, CA
- Destination: WJF, LANCASTER, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 15,047 total, 400 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 162 in the last 90 days, 57 in the last 30 days, 2.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °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 19910302003759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910302003759A), Mar 2, 1991: Cessna 182P, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Landed in water in flood control basin and nosed over.

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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