Cessna 182Q accident near Palm Springs, California, March 20, 1987
On March 20, 1987 at about 1:55 am local time, a Cessna 182Q, registered N759V, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palm Springs, California (Palm Springs airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. 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
- March 20, 1987 · about 1:55 am local time
- Place
- Palm Springs, California · Palm Springs
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182Q · all 182Qs on the register
- Registration
- N759V · registry record · serial 18266286
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A PLEASURE CROSS COUNTRY FLT, THE AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED APPROXIMATELY 50 KNOT HEADWINDS. THE PLT HAD DIVERTED ONCE TO REFUEL AND HAD EXPECTED TO FLY DIRECT TO THE FINAL DESTINATION. HOWEVER, WHILE ENROUTE ON THE FINAL LEG OF THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS RUNNING LOW ON FUEL. THE PLT DIVERTED TO A NEARBY AIRPORT. WHILE ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PLT NOTIFIED THE CONTROL TOWER THAT THE AIRCRAFT HAD RUN OUT OF FUEL. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 231 hours in all; 23 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 132 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-U (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Rainbow Aviation
The flight
- Departed from: FMN Farmington NM at 10:30 pm
- Destination: FUL Fullerton CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 30, 8,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: night, dark
- Wind: from 280° at 14 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 am from PSP, 1 miles away
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.