Cessna 182B accident near Twentynine Palm, California, September 4, 1994
On September 4, 1994 at about 11:37 pm local time, a Cessna 182B, registered N8431T, was substantially damaged in an accident near Twentynine Palm, California (Dale'S Skyranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the cause of the loss of engine power could not be determined. The dirt berm was a factor in this accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 4, 1994 · about 11:37 pm local time
- Place
- Twentynine Palm, California · Dale'S Skyranch
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182B · all 182Bs on the register
- Registration
- N8431T · no longer on the register · serial 52331
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS COMPLETING A VFR FLIGHT. HE REPORTED THAT WHILE ON THE DOWNWIND LEG THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING ROLLOUT, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH A BERM. THE ENGINE WAS DISSEMBLED AND NO SIGNIFICANT ANOMALIES COULD BE FOUND THAT WOULD CAUSE THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. SAFETY BOARD INVESTIGATORS COULD NOT EXAMINE THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL BECAUSE THE PILOT DRAINED ALL THE FUEL DURING THE RETRIEVAL PROCESS.
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: 370 hours in all; 89 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 303 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 1994
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-470-R (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 10:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 2,000 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.