# NTSB LAX93LA344: Cessna 182A, N4847D, Potrero, CA, September 6, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 6, 1993, 09:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Potrero, CA - Coordinates: 32.630168, -116.590515 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6302&lon=-116.5905&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28467 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX93LA344 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28467/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA344 ## Probable cause The overload failure of the upper nose gear torque link and the subsequent separation of the nose wheel and fork assembly from the nose gear strut. A factor in the accident was the surface irregularity in the dirt landing strip. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - landing gear,nose gear attach point - overload (cause) - landing gear,wheel - separation (cause) ## Analysis The touchdown and initial ground roll were normal until the aircraft encountered a raised surface irregularity in the dirt airstrip. The nose wheel lifted after contact with the irregularity, and, when the nose wheel contacted the ground again, the landing gear collapsed. The aircraft nosed over. The nose wheel and fork assembly separated from the nose strut as the nose wheel was lifted off the airstrip by the irregularity. The upper torque link had failed at a point about one inch below the upper attach point. The aircraft was examined by FAA airworthiness inspectors who reported that the upper torque link fracture face exhibited overload characteristics with a clean appearance, and no discoloration or beach markings were evident. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 1993, at 0930 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N4847D, encountered a surface irregularity during the landing roll on a dirt airstrip near Potrero, California. After encountering the irregularity, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft nosed over onto it's back. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the operation. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot and his one passenger were not injured. The flight originated at San Diego, California, on the day of the mishap at 0900 hours. In his statement, the pilot reported that the touchdown and initial ground roll were normal until the aircraft encountered a raised surface irregularity in the dirt airstrip. The nose wheel lifted after contact with the irregularity, and, when the nose wheel contacted the ground again, the landing gear appeared to collapse. The aircraft subsequently nosed over. The pilot stated that the nose wheel and fork assembly separated from the nose strut as the nose wheel was lifted off the airstrip by the irregularity. The pilot observed that the upper torque link had failed at a point about one inch below the upper attach point. The aircraft was examined by FAA airworthiness inspectors from the San Diego Flight Standards District Office with assistance from a mechanic who also holds an Inspection Authorization. The inspectors reported that the upper torque link fracture face exhibited overload characteristics with a clean appearance, and no discoloration or beach markings evident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4847D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4847D-1995-04-14), registration cancelled 1995-04-14, S/N 34947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 182A - Registry model: [Cessna 182A](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182a) (registry code 2072704) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 34947 - Airframe hours: 3108 - Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: David P. Mcrae - Registered owner: C. J. Bagget & D. P. Mcrae - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1992, 70 hours before - Departed: SEE, SAN DIEGO, CA - Airport: runway 9, 1,200 × 15 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 457 total, 180 in this make and model, 424 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °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 19930906033079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930906033079A), Sep 6, 1993: Cessna 182, San Diego, CA, Substantial damage. Collapsed nose gear and flipped over landing on rough dirt strip. Upper torque link fractured due overload 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.