History of Flight
On November 12, 2020, at about 1143 Pacific standard time, a Cessna 182T airplane (N939CP) was destroyed when it struck power lines and several vehicles before impacting the ground near Los Angeles, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 positioning flight. ADS-B data showed the airplane departed Meadows Field Airport (BFL) in Bakersfield at about 1102, destined for Whiteman Airport (WHP) in Los Angeles. The pilot contacted WHP tower about six miles from the runway and was cleared to land. About three minutes later, the pilot reported engine trouble, was cleared again, and stated he had lost the engine and would try to stretch to the runway. About 20 seconds later, he reported he would not make it. The airplane then impacted power lines and several vehicles before ground impact. The last two ADS-B data points indicated a descent rate of about 500 ft per minute, and the last point indicated a speed of 51 knots.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. He was issued an FAA third-class airman medical certificate on October 23, 2020, without limitations. At the time of the medical examination, he reported about 460 total hours of flight experience.
Aircraft Information
The Cessna 182T (N939CP) had its most recent annual inspection on September 14, 2020, at which time a Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 engine was installed. Total airframe time was 1,262.2 hours; engine total time was 2,046.1 hours, with about 78 hours since installation. The forced landing checklist for emergency without engine power specified an airspeed of 75 KIAS with flaps retracted and 70 KIAS with flaps 10° to full. It also called for mixture to idle cutoff, fuel selector and magneto switches off, and flaps as required (full recommended). Power-off stall speed was 54 KCAS flaps retracted and 49 KCAS flaps fully extended.
Wreckage and Impact
The accident site was on a road in a residential area about 175 ft from the runway 12 threshold. The west side of the street was lined with a series of 40-ft-tall power transmission poles spaced about 150 ft apart. The first identified point of impact was to a top power line bridging these poles, which had been severed midspan about 250 ft northwest of the main wreckage. All major components of the airplane were located at the site, and there was evidence of a postimpact fire. Examination of the engine revealed impact and thermal damage but no evidence of internal catastrophic engine damage. Rotational continuity was established through hand rotation of the propeller, and appropriate valve train and compression were noted. The throttle lever linkage control rod end was found separated from the fuel metering section where it attached to the throttle control arm. None of the attachment hardware (a bolt, washer, castellated nut, and cotter pin) was found. No evidence of impact damage was noted on the rod end or control arm. Soot was present on the entire assembly, including the opening where the bolt would attach, consistent with the connecting hardware not being present at the time of impact and the ensuing fire. Examination of the flap actuator revealed that the wing flaps were extended to 30°.
Medical and Pathological Information
The County of Los Angeles, Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of death as "smoke inhalation and thermal injuries." FAA toxicology testing was negative except for glucose, carboxyhemoglobin, chlorpheniramine, and oxymetazoline. Glucose levels in vitreous and urine were not significant. Carboxyhemoglobin was within ranges seen in smokers and smoke inhalation; autopsy showed soot in airways consistent with smoke inhalation. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine that can cause drowsiness; it is acceptable for flying if used no more than 1-2 times per week and 5 days have elapsed before flying. Oxymetazoline is a topical nasal decongestant acceptable for pilots.
Organizational Information
The airplane was part of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), Los Angeles Group 1. The pilot had completed CAP flight training and was checked out as an Orientation Pilot. CAP flight training evaluations showed excellent comments about the pilot's flying ability. CAP contracts with aircraft repair facilities for maintenance, and the wing's aircraft maintenance officer coordinates aircraft maintenance, inspections, and repairs.