Cessna 182G accident near Avenal, California, May 30, 1987
On May 30, 1987 at about 1:30 am local time, a Cessna 182G, registered N3274S, was substantially damaged in an accident near Avenal, California (Avenal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 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 30, 1987 · about 1:30 am local time
- Place
- Avenal, California · Avenal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182G · all 182Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3274S · no longer on the register · serial 55774
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A CESSNA 182G COLLIDED WITH TREES DURING LANDING ROLLOUT ON A DIRT ROAD. THE PILOT INDICATED DURING A TELEPHONE INTERVIEW THAT THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE GRADUALLY DROPPED TO 18 POUNDS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE PILOT LANDED THE AIRCRAFT ON A DIRT ROAD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL BOTH WINGS COLLIDED WITH TREES. THE PILOT STATED, 'AFTER THINKING IT OUT I SUSPECT I ENCOUNTERED CARBURETOR ICE. I DID NOT PERFORM THE PROCEDURES.' THE PILOT INDICATED ON HIS PILOT/OPERATOR ACCIDENT REPORT THAT HE SUSPECTED A POWER LOSS WHILE OVER 4,343 FEET MSL HIGH MOUNTAIN. HE ELECTED TO LAND ON A RIDGE .' THE PILOT ALSO INDICATED HE TOUCHED DN WITH TOO MUCH SPEED, SO HE ATTEMPTED TO LIFT OFF AGAIN, BUT COULD NOT GAIN ALTITUDE.
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
- Flight time: 325 hours in all; 191 in this make and model; 23 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 247 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 917 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 4, 1986; 56 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,800 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Avenal CA at 1:15 am
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:58 pm from PRB, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.