N766EECessna 182N · 1970

On September 23, 2025, about 1400 Pacific daylight time, N766EE, a Cessna 182N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Fallbrook, California. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he purchased fuel at French Valley Airport (F70), Murrieta, California (F70), and departed about 1353. After takeoff, he flew southbound, toward Fallbrook Community Airpark (L18), Fallbrook, California, and flew a straight in approach to runway 18. As the airplane was less than one mile from runway 18, he attempted to increase engine power using the throttle, however, the engine power remained the same. He advanced the throttle position a second time and turned off the carburetor heat, with no change in engine power. The pilot realized that the airplane was too low to reach the runway and initiated an emergency landing on a divided highway, with partial engine power. The airplane landed on the southbound lanes and during the landing roll, the left wing impacted a tree, along the center divider. Subsequently, the airplane veered left, exited the roadway, nosed over, and came to rest inverted, on an embankment adjacent to the northbound lanes of the roadway.

Postaccident examination revealed that the fuselage, both wings, and empennage sustained substantial damage. The wreckage was recovered to a secure location for further examination.