# NTSB LAX92LA125: Cessna 182N, N8948G, San Ardo, CA, February 23, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1992, 09:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: San Ardo, CA
- Coordinates: 36.61063, -121.920173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6106&lon=-121.9202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27564/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA125

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.  CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL AND THE SOFT SOIL LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - intentional, pilot in command

## Analysis

A CESSNA 182 NOSED OVER IN A SOFT SOIL CULTIVATED FIELD AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.  THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED WHILE THE PILOT WAS SURVEYING A WHEAT FIELD THAT WAS SCHEDULED TO BE AERIAL SPRAYED THE FOLLOWING DAY. THE PILOT FOLLOWED THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURE AND ATTEMPTED TO REGAIN ENGINE POWER BUT TO NO AVIAL. HE THEN SELECTED THE CULTIVATED FIELD AS A FORCED LANDING AREA. DURING THE LANDING FLARE THE ENGINE REGAINED POWER, BUT THE PILOT IN COMMAND ELECTED NOT TO CHANCE ANOTHER LOSS OF POWER AND DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE OFF AIRPORT PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER WHEN THE NOSE GEAR SANK IN THE SOFT SOIL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE ENGINE WAS EXAMINED BY THE OPERATOR AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION FOUND. THE ENGINE WAS OPERATIONALLY TESTED AND RAN WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE OPERATOR BELIEVES WATER MAY HAVE CONTAMINATED THE FUEL SYSTEM AFTER RECENT RAINS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8948G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8948G), registered now, S/N 18260488, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 60488
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Soil Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Soil Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: KIC, KING CITY, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 7,636 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19920223003429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920223003429A), Feb 23, 1992: Cessna 182N, San Ardo, CA, Substantial damage. Engine quit while descending over a field on ag survey. Landed in field. Nosed over when nose gear sank in soft sank

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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