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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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September 20, 1983 · Cessna 182 · N5437B

Joshua Tree, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Joshua Tree, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 182
Tail Number
N5437B
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX83LA450

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING UNDER A 2000 FT MSL CLOUD LAYER WHILE EN ROUTE FROM SAN CARLOS, CA TO GLENDALE, AZ. HE FLEW INTO A VALLEY & THE CLOUDS BEGAN CLOSING IN. HE THEN MADE A 180 DEG TURN, BUT THE CLOUDS HAD CLOSED IN BEHIND HIM. HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD IN THE JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL MONUMENT. HOWEVER, DURING THE ROLL-OUT, THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT CONTACTED A JOSHUA TREE & THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

Full Narrative

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE WAS FLYING UNDER A 2000 FT MSL CLOUD LAYER WHILE EN ROUTE FROM SAN CARLOS, CA TO GLENDALE, AZ. HE FLEW INTO A VALLEY & THE CLOUDS BEGAN CLOSING IN. HE THEN MADE A 180 DEG TURN, BUT THE CLOUDS HAD CLOSED IN BEHIND HIM. HE ATTEMPTED A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROAD IN THE JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL MONUMENT. HOWEVER, DURING THE ROLL-OUT, THE LEFT WING OF THE ACFT CONTACTED A JOSHUA TREE & THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:05 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182
Tail NumberN5437B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingOvercast 100 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data