# NTSB LAX92LA210: Cessna 182A, N2031G, S.Lake Tahoe, CA, May 16, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 16, 1992, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: S.Lake Tahoe, CA
- Location: 38.9282° N, 119.9810° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of South Lake Tahoe, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9282&lon=-119.9810&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27620
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA210
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27620/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA210

## Probable cause

THAT THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND USED POOR JUDGMENT BY FLYING AT AN UNWARRANTED LOW ALTITUDE AND MISJUDGED THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE TREE TOPS AND THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - buzzing - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOTS TOOK OFF FROM THEIR HOME AIRPORT FOR A LOCAL FLIGHT. WHEN THEY FAILED TO RETURN FRIENDS INITIATED A NIGHT AERIAL AND GROUND SEARCH FOR THE AIRCRAFT.  THE AIRCRAFT'S ELT SIGNAL WAS RECEIVED AND THE GROUND SEARCH TEAM WAS GUIDED TO THE WRECKAGE THAT WAS LOCATED IN A REMOTE DENSE FOREST.  ACCORDING TO MEMBERS OF THE SEARCH TEAM THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO HAVE STRUCK A TREE TOP NORTH OF THE MAIN WRECKAGE AREA AND NOSED INTO THE GROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST IN A NOSE DOWN, TAIL UP ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2031G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2031G-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 51331, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 51331
- Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Elliot, Carl D.
- Registered owner: Elliot, Carl D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1992
- Departed: O03, SAN ANDREAS, CA
- Destination: O03

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 850 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Observed at: TVL, 32 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 19920516015149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920516015149A), May 16, 1992: Cessna 182A, S Lake Tahoe, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Struck trees and crashed in heavily wooded area. No witnesses. Cause unknown.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.