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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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August 16, 1985 · Cessna 182K · N3169Q

Pioneer, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pioneer, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182K
Tail Number
N3169Q
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX85LA352

DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PLT ESTABLISHED THAT 45.5 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE LOADED ON THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, THE DAY PRIOR TO THEACCIDENT. THE FLT FLEW DIRECT TO MINDEN, NEVADA, A STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE OF 170 NM, WHERE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT SAID HE DID A NORMAL PREFLIGHT BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANK LEVELS. ON THE RETURN FLT TO WATSONVILLE, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. ACFT RETRIEVERS REPORTED COMPLETE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM INTEGRITY AND ONLY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TANKS WHEN THE ACFT WAS REMOVED FROM THE SITE.

Full Narrative

DOCUMENTS PROVIDED BY THE PLT ESTABLISHED THAT 45.5 GALLONS OF FUEL WERE LOADED ON THE AIRCRAFT PRIOR TO DEPARTURE FROM WATSONVILLE, CALIFORNIA, THE DAY PRIOR TO THEACCIDENT. THE FLT FLEW DIRECT TO MINDEN, NEVADA, A STRAIGHT LINE DISTANCE OF 170 NM, WHERE IT WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT. THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT SAID HE DID A NORMAL PREFLIGHT BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANK LEVELS. ON THE RETURN FLT TO WATSONVILLE, THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND STRUCK TREES DURING THE FORCED LANDING ON A HIGHWAY. ACFT RETRIEVERS REPORTED COMPLETE AIRCRAFT SYSTEM INTEGRITY AND ONLY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TANKS WHEN THE ACFT WAS REMOVED FROM THE SITE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182K
Tail NumberN3169Q
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 70 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:49
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data