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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

May 17, 1987 · Cessna 182L · N42814

Santa Monica, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 17, 1987
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Location
Santa Monica, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182L
Tail Number
N42814
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX87FA207

THE ACFT LOST POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND CRASHED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. THE THROTTLE ARM WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE THROTTLE SHAFT. THE ARM HAD BEEN REPLACED 19 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT THE SHAFT BUSHING WAS WORN AND LOOSE AND THAT THE JAWS OF THE NEW ARM WERE CLOSED COMPLETELY BUT PRODUCING NO CLAMPING ACTION. SUBSEQUENT TESTS OF THE ARM AND SHAFT REVEALED THAT THE ARM WOULD SLIP EASILY ON AND OFF THE SHAFT. TESTS ALSO ESTABLISHED THAT THE RECOMMENDED METHOD OF SAFETY WIRING THE ARM TO THE SHAFT DID NOT RETAIN THE ARM ON THE SHAFT. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY DID NOT PERFORM THE FINAL INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR OWN FAA APPROVED REPAIR STATION MANUAL. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY HAD RECOMMENDED A MAJOR CARBURETOR OVERHAUL TO THE PLT/OWNER BUT HE REFUSED BECAUSE OF THE QUOTED PRICE.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT LOST POWER DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND CRASHED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DURING AN ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. THE THROTTLE ARM WAS FOUND SEPARATED FROM THE THROTTLE SHAFT. THE ARM HAD BEEN REPLACED 19 HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. EXAMINATION OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT THE SHAFT BUSHING WAS WORN AND LOOSE AND THAT THE JAWS OF THE NEW ARM WERE CLOSED COMPLETELY BUT PRODUCING NO CLAMPING ACTION. SUBSEQUENT TESTS OF THE ARM AND SHAFT REVEALED THAT THE ARM WOULD SLIP EASILY ON AND OFF THE SHAFT. TESTS ALSO ESTABLISHED THAT THE RECOMMENDED METHOD OF SAFETY WIRING THE ARM TO THE SHAFT DID NOT RETAIN THE ARM ON THE SHAFT. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY DID NOT PERFORM THE FINAL INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR OWN FAA APPROVED REPAIR STATION MANUAL. THE MAINTENANCE FACILITY HAD RECOMMENDED A MAJOR CARBURETOR OVERHAUL TO THE PLT/OWNER BUT HE REFUSED BECAUSE OF THE QUOTED PRICE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:43 PDT
Nearest AirportSanta Monica (1nm S)
Runway21
Runway Length4987 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182L
Tail NumberN42814
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-R · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary3 injuries (2 serious injuries, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 48 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind230° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:46
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data