# NTSB LAX92LA221: Cessna 182E, N9340X, Lone Pine, CA, May 27, 1992 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1992, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Lone Pine, CA - Coordinates: 36.560718, -118.050369 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5607&lon=-118.0504&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 11, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 27627 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA221 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27627/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA221 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S ENCOUNTER WITH A SUDDEN AND STRONG QUARTERING TAILWIND AFTER LANDING ON A SHORT DIRT RUNWAY, AND THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO SELECT THE OTHER AIRPORT RUNWAY, WHICH WAS LONGER AND MORE ALIGNED WITH THE WIND, FOR THE APPROACH AND LANDING. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - loose gravel/sandy - weather condition - tailwind (cause) - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - gusts (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE DEPARTURE END OF RWY 31 IS OBSTRUCTED BY POWER LINES, TREES AND A MOTEL. THE STANDARD PROCEDURE IS TO DEPART ON RWY 13 AND LAND ON RWY 31. THE FIRST 1,000 FT OF RWY 13 IS COVERED WITH A CHEMICAL MIXTURE TO PREVENT DUST. THIS MIXTURE FORMS A CRUST, AND, WITH BLOWN SAND ON IT, THE RWY BECOMES SLIPPERY. WHILE IN THE PATTERN FOR RWY 31, THE PILOT SAID THE WINDS WERE SSE AT 5 TO 10 KNOTS. AFTER TOUCHDOWN THE APPARENT GROUND SPEED INCREASED WHILE THE INDICATED AIRSPEED RAPIDLY DECREASED CONCURRENT WITH A RIGHT DRIFT, INDICATING A SUDDEN AND STRONG LEFT QUARTERING TAILWIND. AT THE HALFWAY POINT, THE INDICATED AIRSPEED WAS INSUFFICIENT TO GO AROUND WHILE THE POOR BRAKING ACTION WAS NOT STOPPING THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT SAID HE REALIZED THE AIRCRAFT WAS GOING TO OVER RUN THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND THE PILOT ELECTED TO TURN INTO THE TREE LINE AND COLLIDED WITH TREES AND A MOTEL FENCE. A LONGER RUNWAY MORE ALIGNED WITH THE WIND DIRECTION WAS AVAILABLE. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9340X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9340X-2003-11-08), registration cancelled 2003-11-08, S/N 18253740, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182E - Registry model: [Cessna 182E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182e) (registry code 2072712) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18253740 - Airframe hours: 6916 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Operator: Sailplane Enterprises, Inc. - Registered owner: Sailplane Enterprises, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, December 23, 1991, 69 hours before - Departed: O26 - Airport: O26, Lone Pine, runway 31, 2,400 × 100 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,298 total, 4 in this make and model, 1,205 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 40 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 19920527016679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920527016679A), May 27, 1992: Cessna 182E, Lone Pine, CA, Substantial damage. Overan 2400 ft runway,collided with trees and fence. Strong gusty winds. Was returning from glider tow. ## Other investigations on N9340X (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX89LA291](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA291), Aug 30, 1989: Cessna 182E (N9340X), Hemet, CA, minor damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE CREW COORDINATION BETWEEN THE TOW PILOT AND GLIDER PILOT, FAILURE OF THE GLIDER PILOT TO OBTAIN PROPER ASSISTANCE, AND THE TOW PILOT'S MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE GLIDER PILOT'S INTENTIONS. 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.