# NTSB LAX92LA375: Cessna 182A, N54566, Santa Monica, CA, September 5, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 5, 1992, 14:41 local (21:41 UTC)
- Place: Santa Monica, CA
- Coordinates: 34.010211, -118.459983 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0102&lon=-118.4600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 4 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27753
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA375
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27753/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA375

## Probable cause

THE THE PILOT'S POORLY PLANNED APPROACH; HIS FAILURE TO SELECT THE PROPER TOUCH DOWN POINT; AND INADEQUATE REMEDIAL ACTION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing - flare/touchdown
  - planned approach - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - separation
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE WHEEL STRUCK 9 INCHES BELOW THE RUNWAY, SHEARING OFF THE NOSE WHEEL CAUSING THE AIRPLANE TO NOSE OVER ONTO ITS BACK.  THE PILOT WAS PLANNING TO LAND ON THE NUMBERS.  THE TERRAIN BEFORE THE RUNWAY THRESHOLD SLOPES UPWARD AND THE RUNWAY HAS A MINUS 1.2% GRADIENT.  THE RUNWAY NUMBERS ARE LOCATED ON THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED ENCOUNTERING A STRONG DOWNDRAFT, BUT THE SURFACE WINDS WERE ONLY 10 KNOTS.  THE PILOT FAILED TO SELECT THE PROPER TOUCH DOWN POINT AND FAILED TO ADEQUATELY CORRECT THE SITUATION WHEN IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS GOING TO LAND SHORT OF THE RUNWAY ENVIRONMENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54566](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54566-1998-01-17), registration cancelled 1998-01-17, S/N 51715 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 051715
- Airframe hours: 3086
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Albright, Larry W.
- Registered owner: Albright, Larry W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1992, 17 hours before
- Departed: L70, AGUA DULCE, CA
- Airport: SMO, Santa Monica, runway 21, 4,987 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 650 total, 320 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SMO, 1 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 19920905042489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920905042489A), Sep 5, 1992: Cessna 182A, Santa Monica, CA, Substantial damage. Failed to recover from high sink rate on final. Nose wheel sheared striking 9 inches below runway lip. 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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