# NTSB LAX93LA170: Cessna 182G, N460JA, Torrance, CA, April 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1993, 17:40 local (Apr 12, 1993, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Torrance, CA
- Location: 33.8034° N, 118.3396° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ZAMPERINI FLD (TOA), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8034&lon=-118.3396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 15, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27955
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA170
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27955/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA170

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT LIFT OFF AIRSPEED.  FACTORS IN THIS ACCIDENT WERE THE PILOT'S OVERCONFIDENCE IN HIS PILOTING SKILLS, AND THE INADVERTENT STALL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL HE GLANCED AT THE LIFT RESERVE INDICATOR WHICH INDICATED THAT HE HAD ENOUGH LIFT TO FLY.  THE AIRPLANE IS MODIFIED WITH A WREN 460 STOL KIT.  THE AIRSPEED OF THE AIRPLANE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35-40 KNOTS.  SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN A LEFT ROLLING MOTION.  THE AIRPLANE DID NOT RESPOND TO ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION INITIATED BY THE PILOT.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND, LEFT WING TIP FIRST AND CAME TO REST BETWEEN THE TWO RUNWAYS.  IN AN INTERVIEW WITH FAA INSPECTORS, THE PILOT STATED THAT THE 'STALL WARNING HORN WAS GOING OFF AS USUAL,' BUT HE CHOSE TO 'IGNORE IT AS USUAL.' ACCORDING TO THE WREN OPERATIONS MANUAL FOR THE AIRCRAFT, THE NORMAL TAKEOFF SPEED IS 60 MPH, AND A CLIMB SPEED OF 90 MPH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N460JA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N460JA-1997-11-08), registration cancelled 1997-11-08, S/N 18255829 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182G
- Registry model: [Cessna Wren 182G 460](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-wren-182g-460) (registry code 2075802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18255829
- Airframe hours: 1928
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-470 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Diana P. Syvertson
- Registered owner: Diana P. Syvertson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 1992, 74 hours before
- Departed: TOA
- Airport: TOA, Torrance Municipal, runway 29, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; flight instructor, commercial, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,500 total, 269 in this make and model, 5,473 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOA, 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 19930411017179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930411017179A), Apr 11, 1993: Cessna STC182, Torrance, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot made premature liftoff with wren stol equipped aircraft stalled and crashed.

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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