Chico Ranchaero Airport, Chico, CA
Location: The Chico Ranchaero Airport is located 1 mile west
of Chico, California.
History:
Chico Ranchaero Airport Today: Closed to night operations;
Airport
Services and Amenities: Ranchaero, Inc.; Fuel; Exxon 100LL; Self
service: 100LL 24 hours; Food and lodging within 2 miles;
Special Events and
Attractions: Bidwell Park; Chico State University;
Airport
Area Accident History:
Accident occurred Thursday,
January 27, 2005 in Chico, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date:
9/14/2007
Aircraft: Cessna 182P,
registration: N7337S
Injuries: 2 Minor.
The airplane collided with trees
during an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power. In
cruise flight, the pilot selected 22 inches of manifold pressure and 2,200
revolutions per minute (rpm). As he descended, he reduced the manifold
pressure to 16-17 inches, pulled the carburetor heat on, and left the rpm at
2,200. He was about 2 miles from the airport, and making a 45-degree entry
to the downwind, which is the local approach to the runway. He had one notch
of flaps selected. As he descended through 600 feet, the engine died. He
raised the flaps after the engine quit producing power. He selected full
down flaps about 20 feet above the trees. After the airplane came to rest,
the pilot secured the master switch, magnetos, and fuel. The airplane was in
a nose low position, and fuel flowed out of the vent. During a follow-up
examination, the engine ran for several minutes during a test run with no
discrepancies noted. The National Transportation Safety Board determines the
probable cause(s) of this accident as follows: A loss of engine power during
approach to land for undetermined reasons.
Chico Ranchaero Airport
Approach / Landing:
