# NTSB LAX97LA190: Cessna 182, N6495A, Lamont, CA, May 22, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1997, 15:31 local (22:31 UTC)
- Place: Lamont, CA
- Coordinates: 35.250793, -118.910346 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2508&lon=-118.9103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report April 10, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29796
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA190
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29796/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA190

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain adequate fuel for the flight.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, emergency descent/landing
- Nose over, emergency descent/landing

## Analysis

The pilot and passenger were repositioning the airplane from Arizona to Washington with a planned en route fuel stop. The airplane ran out of fuel about 6 miles short of the fuel stop.  The airplane nosed over during a landing in an open field.  Neither the pilot nor the operator filed a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report.

## Factual narrative

On May 22, 1997, about 1531 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6495A, operated by Human Flight Inc. of Snohomish, Washington, was substantially damaged during an emergency landing near Lamont, California.  The pilot and passenger received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the positioning flight and no flight plan was filed.

The flight departed Buckeye, Arizona, and was destined for Snohomish with an en-route fueling stop at Bakersfield, California.  About 6 miles southeast of Bakersfield the aircraft lost engine power.  The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field and nosed over.

According to an Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the airplane ran out of fuel about 6 miles short of the planned fueling stop.

Neither the pilot nor the operator filed a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, form 6120.1/2.  Incomplete logbook records were obtained from the operator.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6495A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6495A), registered now, S/N 33295, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Cessna 182
- Registry model: [Cessna 182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-182) (registry code 2072702) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental O-470 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-o-470-series) (registry code 17026, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 33295
- Airframe hours: 4139
- Engines: Continental O-470-L 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Registered owner: Human Flight Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 17, 1996
- Departed: BXK, BUCKEYE, AZ
- Destination: BFL, BAKERSFIELD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,800 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: KBF, 6 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 19970522040409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970522040409A), May 22, 1997: Cessna 182, Lamont, CA, Substantial damage. Narrative: on may 22, 1997, about 1531 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 182, N6495A, operated by human flight inc. of snohomish, Washington, was…

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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