# NTSB LAX92LA240: Cessna 185E, N3349L, Lone Pine, CA, May 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 30, 1992, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Lone Pine, CA
- Coordinates: 36.560161, -118.049812 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5602&lon=-118.0498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 3 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27644
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA240
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27644/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA240

## Probable cause

THE PILOT DID NOT ABORT THE TAKEOFF IN TIME TO AVOID THE ON GROUND COLLISION WITH THE FENCE AND CREEK BANK.

## Sequence of events

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

- Overrun, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - fence
  - airspeed - not attained
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment

## Analysis

IN HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT, THE PILOT SAID HE WAS TAKING OFF ON THE 1,800 FOOT AIRSTRIP AND COMPUTED A TAKEOFF DISTANCE OF 1,600 FEET.  ON TAKEOFF ROLL, HE SAID THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING THE POWER IT SHOULD HAVE. HE SAID THE AIRPLANE WENT THROUGH A BARBED WIRE FENCE AND ENDING UP IMPACTING THE OPPOSITE BANK OF A CREEK.  HE FURTHER STATED, HE MADE A JUDGEMENT ERROR IN NOT PICKING A GO, NO GO POINT AND THEN ABORTING THE TAKEOFF, AVOIDING THE FENCE AND CREEK. A SPECIFIC REASON WAS NOT PROVIDED TO SUBSTANTIATE THE REPORTED DEGRADATION OF ENGINE POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3349L](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3349L-2008-05-06), registration cancelled 2008-05-06, S/N 185-1301, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 185E
- Registry model: [Cessna A185E](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-a185e) (registry code 2072818) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-520-series) (registry code 17032, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 185-1301
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-520-D 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph A. Johnson
- Registered owner: Joseph A. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1992
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: L91, BAKERSFIELD, CA
- Airport: NONE, Monache Meadows

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,739 total, 960 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °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 19920530019119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920530019119A), May 30, 1992: Cessna 185E, Lone Pine, CA, Substantial damage. Reported engine not full power. Failed to abort. Ran off end short strip through fence into ditch.

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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