Cessna 150 accident near Torrance, California, May 18, 1982
On May 18, 1982 at about 11:22 pm local time, a Cessna 150, registered N5910J, was substantially damaged in an accident near Torrance, California (Torrance Municipal airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 18, 1982 · about 11:22 pm local time
- Place
- Torrance, California · Torrance Municipal
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 150 · all 150s on the register
- Registration
- N5910J · no longer on the register · serial A1500210
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PURPOSE OF THE FLIGHT WAS TO PROVIDE INSTRUMENT TRAINING TO A NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PILOT. THE AIRCREW ESTIMATED THAT THERE WAS 10 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN THEY TOOK OFF. ABOUT 1 HR LATER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AS THE AIRCREW WERE ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND. REPORTEDLY, THE RIGHT FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY, BUT THE LEFT GAUGE INDICATED ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT TOOK CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE OR GLIDE TO THE AIRPORT. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A FIELD OF POTTED TREES AT A NURSERY. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK A NUMBER OF 5 GALLON CANS IN WHICH THE TREES WERE POTTED AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. LESS THAN 1/2 CUP OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL TANKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE AIRCRAFT HAD BEEN FLOWN 2.1 HRS ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT. THE AIRCREW ESTIMATED THAT THE PLANE WOULD FLY 3.3 TO 3.5 HRS WITHOUT REFUELING. THE TOTAL TIME SINCE THE PLANE WAS REFUELED WAS ABOUT 3.1 HRS.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 5,164 hours in all; 38 in this make and model; 50 in the last 90 days; 3,700 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,500 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 17 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-200 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 3:20 pm
- Destination: TOA Torrance CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 5,000 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; scat at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 158°F (70°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.