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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 17, 1985 · Cessna 182A · N3891D

Williston, FL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Williston, FL
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N3891D
Operator
Williston Skydivers
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA85FA098

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON 'BOTH' AND AT 300 FEET AGL SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO 'LEFT'. THE SELECTOR WAS STILL ON 'LEFT' WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BASE LEG. THE PLT TRIED TO REACH THE RWY BUT COLLIDED WITH EDGE OF LIMESTONE PIT ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE APCH END OF RWY. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THERE WERE APRX 4 GALS IN THE RIGHT TANK. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THE ACFT CRASHED IN A VERY STEEP FLT PATH, SLIGHTLY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AND ALMOST NO FORWARD VELOCITY.

Full Narrative

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH THE FUEL SELECTOR ON 'BOTH' AND AT 300 FEET AGL SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO 'LEFT'. THE SELECTOR WAS STILL ON 'LEFT' WHEN ENGINE LOST POWER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE BASE LEG. THE PLT TRIED TO REACH THE RWY BUT COLLIDED WITH EDGE OF LIMESTONE PIT ABOUT 1000 FT FROM THE APCH END OF RWY. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED LEFT FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THERE WERE APRX 4 GALS IN THE RIGHT TANK. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THE ACFT CRASHED IN A VERY STEEP FLT PATH, SLIGHTLY NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE AND ALMOST NO FORWARD VELOCITY.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 EST
Nearest AirportWilliston Municipal (1nm NE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN3891D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliston Skydivers
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470-L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 38 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 10 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 34 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time18:20
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data