# NTSB LAX93LA151: Cessna 182, N466KT, Lake Havasu, AZ, March 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 14, 1993, 20:00 local (Mar 15, 1993, 03:00 UTC)
- Place: Lake Havasu, AZ
- Coordinates: 34.480598, -114.320358 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4806&lon=-114.3204&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 4 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 10, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA151

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER WELDING OF THE INBOARD BOSS BY AN UNKNOWN PERSON RESULTING IN A FATIGUE FAILURE ON THE INBOARD BOSS.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE VEHICLE THAT WAS STRUCK DURING THE FORCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - engine assembly,rocker arm/tappet - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, unknown (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - vehicle
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING FLIGHT AT 8000 FEET, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT TRIED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING AT LAKE HAVASU AIRPORT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT.  HE SELECTED A ROADWAY ABOUT 2 1/2 MILES SOUTH OF THE AIRPORT. DURING THE FINAL APPROACH TO THE ROADWAY, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A VEHICLE. A METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER'S INBOARD BOSS HAD BEEN WELDED.  THE WELD REPAIR IS SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED BY TELEDYNE CONTINENTAL MOTORS SPECIFICATION MHS 217.  THIS UNAPPROVED WELD LED TO SIGNIFICANT SOFTENING OF THE INBOARD BOSS, AND A REDUCTION OF FATIGUE STRENGTH.  THE AIRPLANE RECORDS REVEALED THAT THE CYLINDERS HAD BEEN PURCHASED AT A AUCTION, AND THE CYLINDER'S MAINTENANCE HISTORY IS UNKNOWN.  THE AIRPLANE RECORDS DID NOT REFLECT THAT ANY WELDING REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N466KT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N466KT-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 18255870, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182H](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182h) (registry code 2072718) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255870
- Airframe hours: 3451
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: M. Kent Christopherson
- Registered owner: M. Kent Christopherson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 1992, 167 hours before
- Departed: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Destination: SGU, ST. GEORGE, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 21,605 total, 2,500 in this make and model, 21,305 as pilot in command, 240 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 70° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLH, 67 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 19930314007299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930314007299A), Mar 14, 1993: Cessna 182H, Lake Havasu Cit, AZ, Substantial damage. Lost power. Landing on 195, struck auto. Improper weld caused failure of cylinder rocker boss.

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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