# NTSB WPR22LA219: Cessna TR182, N756EG, Davis, CA, June 16, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 16, 2022, 11:28 local (18:28 UTC) - Place: Davis, CA · Open field near the departure end of runway - Coordinates: 38.5314, -121.7864 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5314&lon=-121.7864&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Textron Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 105292 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA219 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105292/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105292 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA219 ## Probable cause An in-flight fire during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01020000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Cessna TR182, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=2072735), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he conducted an uneventful engine run-up and taxi to the runway for departure. During the initial takeoff climb he observed smoke emanating from the instrument panel, followed by flames radiating from the rudder pedal area and followed by a partial loss of engine power. The airplane had enough altitude to clear the trees near the departure end of the runway; the pilot then made a forced landing on a tomato field. During the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The fire subsequently destroyed the airplane. The thermal damage to the engine’s accessories case and firewall suggests that the fire originated near the rear of the engine. However, destruction of the airframe precluded determination of the reason for the in-flight fire. ## Factual narrative On June 16, 2022, about 1128 Pacific daylights time, a Cessna, TR182, N756EG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Davis, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after conducting an uneventful engine run-up, he taxied to runway 17 at the University Airport, Davis (EDU), California, for departure. During the takeoff climb, at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level (agl), he observed smoke coming from the instrument panel. As the airplane reached an altitude of about 200 ft agl, flames were emitting from the pilot’s rudder pedal area, followed by a partial loss of engine power. The airplane had enough altitude to clear the trees near the departure end of the runway and the pilot made a forced landing in a tomato field. During the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. Review of the on-scene photographs provided by the Federal Aviation Administration showed that the airplane had sustained impact damage and had been destroyed by the inflight and postaccident fires. The National Transportation Safety Board conducted a subsequent examination that revealed that the firewall along with the engine, engine mount, and nose landing gear had separated as one unit from the fuselage structure. The engine accessory case had sustained thermal damage; the initiating source of the fire could not be determined due to the amount of thermal damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N756EG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N756EG-2023-07-13), registration cancelled 2023-07-13, S/N R18201049, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA TR182 - Registry model: [Cessna TR182](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-tr182) (registry code 2072735) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: R18201049 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 3785 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 12, 2022 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: EDU, University, runway 17, 3,176 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Stall warning system, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed; last flight review February 11, 2022; seat: left; flight hours: 285 total, 135 in this make and model, 285 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KVCB, 12 nm away - METAR: METAR KVCB 161853Z AUTO 19010KT 10SM CLR 29/07 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP093 T02890067= ## 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 20220616010549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220616010549A), Jun 16, 2022: Cessna TR182, Davis, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot reported in a written statement that he departed the kedu, University Airport, in Davis CA. At approximately 11:19AM. The pilot stated that he… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 23, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105292. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14151177&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Air frame and engine exam (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14297896&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA219%20Air%20Frame%20and%20Engine%20Exam-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 3, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14291398&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.pdf - Statement of party representatives to NTSB investigation (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 158 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14291741&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA219%20-%20NTSB%20Party%20Rep%20Form%20-%20Textron%20Aviation_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 527 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14290812&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR22LA219%20Wreck%20Release_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Evidence control form (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14291148&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Logbooks%20Evidence%20Control%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf 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.