Cessna 182 accident near Los Angeles, California, November 12, 2020
On November 12, 2020 at about 7:43 pm local time, a 2015 Cessna 182, registered N939CP, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Los Angeles, California (Whiteman airport). It was a positioning flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Maintenance personnel’s failure to properly secure the throttle control hardware during recent maintenance, which resulted in its disconnection and a subsequent loss of engine power on approach for landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 12, 2020 · about 7:43 pm local time
- Place
- Los Angeles, California · Whiteman · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna 182 T, built 2015 · all 182s on the register
- Registration
- N939CP · no longer on the register · serial 18282404
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Positioning flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While on final approach to the runway, the pilot reported to the tower controller a loss of engine power, and that he was attempting to make the runway. Shortly thereafter, the airplane collided with power lines in a residential area about 175 ft short of the runway threshold. A postaccident fire consumed the wreckage. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine’s throttle control rod was separated from the throttle body control arm. None of the attachment hardware, which comprised of a bolt, washer, castellated nut, and cotter pin, was found. Additionally, no evidence of impact damage was noted in the throttle lever linkage control rod end or the control arm where it attached. The airplane’s most recent annual inspection was 78 flight hours and about 2 months before the accident. During the inspection, a new engine was installed. Based on the available information, it is likely that the throttle control connecting hardware was improperly installed or secured during the most recent maintenance, which resulted in its disconnection and a loss of engine power and throttle control while on final approach.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (total) during approach
- Powerplant sys/comp malf/fail during approach defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine controls › Power lever › Failure
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Scheduled/routine inspection › Maintenance personnel
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 7 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 460 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 15, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,262.2 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 14, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AB1A5 (piston); 2,124 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Civil Air Patrol
The flight
- Departed from: BFL Bakersfield CA at 7:03 pm
- Runway 12, 4,120 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 am from KWHP
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
14 documents, released by the NTSB on December 15, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electronic Devices - Specialist's Factual Report | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Statement from Individual Who Flew in Accident Airplane the Previous Flight | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Accident Site Summary | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airframe and Engine Summary | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Flight Track Diagrams | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 7 | Ov Data | data file | Download |
| 8 | Annual Inspection | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 9 | POH Excerpt - Stall Speeds | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 10 | Record of Email | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 11 | Appendix D to Part 43, Title 43 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 12 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 13 | Toxicological Report | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 14 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.