# NTSB LAX97LA080: Cessna 182P, N9003M, Fullerton, CA, December 31, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 1996, 10:33 local (18:33 UTC) - Place: Fullerton, CA - Location: 33.8760° N, 117.9630° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from FULLERTON MUNI (FUL), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8760&lon=-117.9630&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29710 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29710/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA080 ## Probable cause Fuel system water contamination due to the failure of both pilots to purge all water from the fuel system prior to departure. Contributing factors were: failure of the mechanic conducting the recent annual inspection to identify and replace a deteriorated fuel cap O-ring. ## Analysis According to both pilots, following receipt of their departure release and takeoff clearance, the aircraft took off and climbed to approximately 500 feet agl when the engine smoothly lost power. The engine power returned briefly, dropped off, surged, and then quit altogether. The pilot flying the aircraft attempted to return to the runway, but had insufficient altitude and collided with a fence at the approach end of runway 24. That pilot reported that a preflight had been conducted per the POH and that no abnormalities were found. The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector who reported finding the gascolator bowl half full of water and the carburetor bowl completely full of water. No water was found in either fuel tank when the sump drains were checked. The engine was then started and run for a 10-minute period with no abnormalities noted. Additionally, the FAA inspector found that the left tank fuel cap O-ring was deteriorated, with rust and corrosion present below the level of the O-ring. The aircraft is parked outside on the ramp. Heavy periods of rainfall occurred during the week prior to the accident flight. An annual inspection was completed on the aircraft 1 month and 3 flight hours prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 1996, at 1033 hours Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182P, N9003M, collided with a fence at the approach end of runway 24 at the Fullerton, California, airport during an attempted return to the airport following a loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb. The aircraft was operated by the pilot and was engaged in a dual instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in a light mist at the time and an IFR flight plan was filed for the cross-country instrument flight to Santa Barbara, California. The aircraft incurred substantial damage. Neither of the certified flight instructor/commercial pilots onboard were injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to both pilots, following receipt of their departure release and takeoff clearance, the aircraft took off and climbed to approximately 500 feet agl when the engine smoothly lost power. The engine power returned briefly, dropped off, surged, and then quit altogether. The pilot flying the aircraft attempted to return to the runway, but had insufficient altitude and collided with a fence at the approach end of runway 24. That pilot reported in his written report that a preflight had been conducted "per the Pilots [sic] operating handbook" and that no abnormalities were found. "Wing tanks were full. I initially drained the wing tanks and found slight trace of water in right tank and no trace in the left tank. The gascolator drain was also drained with only slight trace of water evident. Wings were rocked and drains were double checked . . ." The aircraft was examined by an FAA airworthiness inspector from the Long Beach, California, Flight Standards District Office. He reported finding the gascolator bowl half full of water and the carburetor bowl completely full of water. No water was found in either fuel tank when the sump drains were checked. The engine was then started and run for a 10-minute period with no abnormalities noted. Additionally, the FAA inspector found that the left tank fuel cap O-ring was deteriorated, with rust and corrosion present below the level of the O-ring. According to the FAA Inspector, the aircraft is routinely parked outside on the ramp. Heavy periods of rainfall occurred during the week prior to the accident flight. Review of the aircraft maintenance records disclosed that an annual inspection was completed 1 month and 3 flight hours prior to the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fuel system,cap - deteriorated - fuel system - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - maintenance,annual inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - airport facilities,perimeter fence - lack of frangibility - weather condition - tailwind - light condition - daylight ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9003M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9003M-2024-10-25), registration cancelled 2024-10-25, S/N 18264638, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 182P - Registry model: [Cessna 182P](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182p) (registry code 2075816) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18264638 - Airframe hours: 2000 - Engines: Continental O-470S 230 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Torger James Totusek - Registered owner: Stuart Matheson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1996, 3 hours before - Departed: FUL - Destination: SBA, SANTA BARBARA, CA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: FUL, Fullerton Muni Airport, runway 24, 3,120 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,115 total, 280 in this make and model, 1,115 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 3 knots - Visibility: 4 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KFU ## 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 19961231040889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961231040889A), Dec 31, 1996: Cessna 182P, Fullerton, CA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Tried return. Hit fence short runway. Waater in fuel leaky fuel cap. Recent annual and rain ## Other investigations on N9003M (2) 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. - [NTSB GAA19CA086](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA086), Dec 3, 2018: Cessna 182 (N9003M), Reno, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The airplane’s collision with a bird during a practice instrument approach. - [NTSB LAX05CA081](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA081), Jan 30, 2005: Cessna 182P (N9003M), Reno, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's misjudged flare, which resulted in a stall and a hard landing. 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.