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NTSB Report
July 17, 1988 · Cessna 180 · N2815A
Boulder, CO
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 17, 1988
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Location
Boulder, CO
Aircraft
Cessna 180
Tail Number
N2815A
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN88LA160
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS RETURNING TO BOULDER AFTER MAKING A FLT TO ASPEN. HE SAID HE STARTED THE MORNING FLT WITH 2/3 FUEL LOAD (ABOUT 40 GALLONS) BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH FLT TIME HE ACCUMULATED DURING THE DAY. DURING HIS VFR APPROACH TO THE BOULDER AIRPORT HE HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE NOTICED THE LEFT FUEL TANK INDICATED EMPTY, AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, BUT THE ENGINE QUIT. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND WAS FORCED TO PUT THE ACFT DOWN IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE IT RAN INTO A DITCH. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK HAD FUEL IN IT AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.
Full Narrative
ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS RETURNING TO BOULDER AFTER MAKING A FLT TO ASPEN. HE SAID HE STARTED THE MORNING FLT WITH 2/3 FUEL LOAD (ABOUT 40 GALLONS) BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH FLT TIME HE ACCUMULATED DURING THE DAY. DURING HIS VFR APPROACH TO THE BOULDER AIRPORT HE HAD A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. HE NOTICED THE LEFT FUEL TANK INDICATED EMPTY, AND SWITCHED FUEL TANKS, BUT THE ENGINE QUIT. HE STATED THAT HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND WAS FORCED TO PUT THE ACFT DOWN IN AN OPEN FIELD WHERE IT RAN INTO A DITCH. EXAMINATION REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT FUEL TANK HAD FUEL IN IT AND THE LEFT TANK WAS EMPTY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:06 MDT
Nearest AirportBoulder Municipal (1nm N)
Runway8
Runway Length4100 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 180
Tail NumberN2815A
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-J11 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 serious injuries), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious3
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total4
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 17 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:15
Weather SourcePILO