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NTSB Report
March 11, 1985 · Cessna 182P · N52581
Laurel, MD
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 11, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (4 uninjured)
Location
Laurel, MD
Aircraft
Cessna 182P
Tail Number
N52581
Operator
Michael Stortz
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
BFO85FA026
WHILE ON A RETURN FLIGHT FROM MORRISVILLE,VT THE ACFT LOST PWR AND THE PIC ELECTED TO LAND IN A CUL-DE-SAC IM A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CONTAINED LESS THAN 1 GALLON OF FUEL. BOTH PLTS HAD DPTD PXT 4 DAYS PRIOR AND STOPPED ENROUTE TO PICK UP THEIR WIVES. FIVE GALLONS OF FUEL HAD BEEN DRAINED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO INSURE THE PROPER WT AND BALANCE. AFTER ARRIVING AT MVL THE PILOTS READ THE GUAGES AND CALCULATED FUEL COMSUMPTION AND ELECTED TO ADD 40 GALLONS OF FUEL. THEY NEVER PHYSICALLY CHECKED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS BFR DEPARTING MVL. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABT 3 HRS LTR FUEL GUAGES WERE ON EMPTY WELL BFR THAT TIME,PLT COULD HAVE LANDED BFR EXHAUSTING THE FUEL.
Full Narrative
WHILE ON A RETURN FLIGHT FROM MORRISVILLE,VT THE ACFT LOST PWR AND THE PIC ELECTED TO LAND IN A CUL-DE-SAC IM A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT CONTAINED LESS THAN 1 GALLON OF FUEL. BOTH PLTS HAD DPTD PXT 4 DAYS PRIOR AND STOPPED ENROUTE TO PICK UP THEIR WIVES. FIVE GALLONS OF FUEL HAD BEEN DRAINED PRIOR TO DEPARTURE TO INSURE THE PROPER WT AND BALANCE. AFTER ARRIVING AT MVL THE PILOTS READ THE GUAGES AND CALCULATED FUEL COMSUMPTION AND ELECTED TO ADD 40 GALLONS OF FUEL. THEY NEVER PHYSICALLY CHECKED THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANKS BFR DEPARTING MVL. FUEL EXHAUSTION OCCURRED ABT 3 HRS LTR FUEL GUAGES WERE ON EMPTY WELL BFR THAT TIME,PLT COULD HAVE LANDED BFR EXHAUSTING THE FUEL.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:50 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftCessna 182P
Tail NumberN52581
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMichael Stortz
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (4 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured4
Total4
Crew 1Age 29 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind130° @ 12 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 14000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:52
Weather SourceWFAC