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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

September 21, 1989 · Cessna 182 · N8579M

Zenia, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 21, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Zenia, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N8579M
Operator
Comstock Air Services
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA317

THE VFR FLIGHT, CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR 135, WAS ROUTINE UNTIL ARRIVING AT SHANNON AIRPORT. AFTER CIRCLING THE ARPT, THE PILOT EXECUTED TWO GO-AROUNDS, BECAUSE HE HAD NOT SLOWED THE AIRPLANE SUFFICIENTLY. HE STATED THAT HE LANDED ON THE THIRD APPROACH, BUT THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS TOO HIGH. REALIZING THAT HE WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE. THIS CAUSED IT TO EXIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDE WITH A FENCE. A POST-ACDNT EXAM DISCLOSED THAT THE FLAP ACTUATOR JACKSCREW HAD SEIZED IN THE UP POSITION.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO REALIZE THAT THE FLAPS DID NOT EXTEND, WHICH RESULTED IN EXCESSIVE AIRSPEED. THE SEIZED FLAP ACTUATOR WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

Full Narrative

THE VFR FLIGHT, CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR 135, WAS ROUTINE UNTIL ARRIVING AT SHANNON AIRPORT. AFTER CIRCLING THE ARPT, THE PILOT EXECUTED TWO GO-AROUNDS, BECAUSE HE HAD NOT SLOWED THE AIRPLANE SUFFICIENTLY. HE STATED THAT HE LANDED ON THE THIRD APPROACH, BUT THE AIRPLANE'S AIRSPEED WAS TOO HIGH. REALIZING THAT HE WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT INTENTIONALLY GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE. THIS CAUSED IT TO EXIT THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDE WITH A FENCE. A POST-ACDNT EXAM DISCLOSED THAT THE FLAP ACTUATOR JACKSCREW HAD SEIZED IN THE UP POSITION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:30 PDT
Nearest AirportSHANNON (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length2520 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN8579M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorComstock Air Services
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-S · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 8 kt
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

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Appendix: Source Data