Skip to content

LAX86LA112

1986-02-07 · FLAGSTAFF, Arizona, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport FLG

N5340X has since been reassigned. It is now registered to a different aircraft (CESSNA 182T, built 2003), which was not involved in this event.

Aircraft involved

Factual narrative

WHILE RETURNING FROM GRAND CANYON, AZ, 14 CFR 135 SIGHTSEEING FLT TO SCOTTSDALE, AZ, THE PLT REPORTED THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS; ALL OTHER INSTRUMENT INDICATIONS WERE NORMAL. THE PLT ENRICHED THE MIXTURE AND CHANGED FUEL TANKS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE PLT ELECTED TO DIVERT TO PULLIAM ARPT (FLG), FLAGSTAFF, AZ. AFTER TURNING THE ACFT TOWARDS FLG SMOKE BEGAN TO ENTER THE CABIN AREA FROM BENEATH THE INST PANEL. AFTER SECURING ALL ELECTRICAL POWER THE SMOKE DIMINISHED MOMENTARAILY. SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE MORE POWER AND THE CABIN BEGAN TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. THE PILOT ELECTED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FLD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT STRUCK 3 FENCE LINES AND A DIRT EMBANKMENT. EXAM OF THE ENGINE DSCLSD THE NO. 1 CYLINDER AFT ATTACH EXH STUDS HAD SHEARED OFF AND THE FWD STUDS ATTACH NUTS WERE LOOSE. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1986_LAX86LA112.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.