# NTSB LAX95LA329: Cessna 182N, N9088G, Mariposa, CA, September 8, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1995, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Mariposa, CA
- Coordinates: 37.489421, -120.00048 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4894&lon=-120.0005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 21, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29213
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA329
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29213/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA329

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the existing crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain an adequate airspeed during the attempted go-around, which led to an inadvertent stall/mush.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - weather condition - gusts
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
  - go-around - attempted, pilot in command
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT IN THE LANDING FLARE FOR RUNWAY 26 THE AIRCRAFT WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY BY A GUST OF WIND.  THE PILOT INITIATED A GO-AROUND BY ADDING FULL POWER, THEN HE HEARD THE STALL WARNING HORN COME ON.  HE SAID HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE GROUND WHILE DRIFTING OFF THE RUNWAY.  A POSTCRASH FIRE ERUPTED AFTER THE OCCUPANTS HAD EVACUATED THE AIRCRAFT.

## Factual narrative

On September 8, 1995, at 1530 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182N, N9088G, collided with the ground following an in-flight loss of control during a go-around at the Mariposa, California, airport.  The aircraft was operated by Pacific Flight Services, Inc., of Chico, California, and was rented by the pilot for a personal cross-country flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was destroyed in the collision sequence and postcrash fire.  The certificated private pilot sustained minor injuries; however, the three passengers on board were not injured.  The flight originated at the Chico airport on the day of the accident at 1400 as a planned cross-country to Mariposa.

The pilot said that in the landing flare for runway 26 the aircraft was pushed to the side of the runway by a gust of wind.  The pilot initiated a go-around by adding full power, then he heard the stall warning horn come on.  He said he lowered the nose and the aircraft hit the ground while drifting off the runway.  A postcrash fire erupted after the occupants had evacuated the aircraft.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9088G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9088G-1997-01-10), registration cancelled 1997-01-10, S/N 18260628 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 182N
- Registry model: [Cessna 182N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182n) (registry code 2072730) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 18260628
- Airframe hours: 3123
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-470R 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pacific Flight Services, Inc.
- Registered owner: Priority Trading Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 1995, 10 hours before
- Departed: CIC, CHICO, CA
- Destination: O68
- Airport: O68, Mariposa Yosemite, runway 26, 3,310 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 100 total, 5 in this make and model, 60 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19950908028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950908028429A), Sep 8, 1995: Cessna 182N, Mariposa, CA, Destroyed. Drifted off runway during flare for landing. Tried go around. Stall horn on pushed nose down. Crashed, burned.

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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