Cessna TR182 accident near Davis, California, June 16, 2022
On June 16, 2022 at about 6:28 pm local time, a 1979 Cessna TR182, registered N756EG, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Davis, California (University airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight fire during the initial takeoff climb for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2022 · about 6:28 pm local time
- Place
- Davis, California · University · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Cessna TR182, built 1979 · all TR182s on the register
- Registration
- N756EG · no longer on the register · serial R18201049
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, he conducted an uneventful engine run-up and taxi to the runway for departure. During the initial takeoff climb he observed smoke emanating from the instrument panel, followed by flames radiating from the rudder pedal area and followed by a partial loss of engine power. The airplane had enough altitude to clear the trees near the departure end of the runway; the pilot then made a forced landing on a tomato field. During the landing rollout, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The fire subsequently destroyed the airplane. The thermal damage to the engine’s accessories case and firewall suggests that the fire originated near the rear of the engine. However, destruction of the airframe precluded determination of the reason for the in-flight fire.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during initial climb defining event
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 285 hours in all; 135 in this make and model; 33 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 285 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 11, 2022
- Medical certificate: BasicMed
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,785 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 12, 2022
- Maximum gross weight: 3,100 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-L3C5D (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,176 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from KVCB, 12 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KVCB 161853Z AUTO 19010KT 10SM CLR 29/07 A2981 RMK AO2 SLP093 T02890067=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on August 23, 2023. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Air Frame and Engine Exam | PDF, 8 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Statement of Party Representatives to NTSB Investigation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Release of Aircraft Wreckage, NTSB Form 6120.15 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Evidence Control Form | 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.