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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 19, 2001 · Cessna 182A · N4918D

Richfield, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 19, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Richfield, UT
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N4918D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN01LA072

In the pilot stated that there were 38 gallons of fuel on board the airplane prior to a 1 hour and 10 minute flight to an airport with no services. At 1 hour and 20 minutes into the returning flight the engine lost power. He made an emergency landing in a field approximately 3/4 of a mile east of the airport. The airplane hit a berm during the landing roll. The nose landing gear collapsed and was torn off the airplane. The pilot later stated, "I think my reading of the fuel quantity in the site tube was in error. While I was measuring the fuel, I was interrupted, and I think I mentally recorded the wrong amount of fuel, resulting in a fuel starvation accident."

NTSB Probable Cause

loss of engine power during cruise as a result of fuel exhaustion due to the pilots failure to refuel. Contributing factors were the pilots inadequate aircraft preflight and the unsuitable terrain for a forced landing.

Full Narrative

On March 19, 2001, at approximately 1430 mountain standard time, a Cessna 182A, N4918D, sustained substantial damage when it collided with the terrain during an emergency landing. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for this personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed from Needles Outpost, a private airstrip, south of Moab, Utah, at approximately 1300. According to the pilot's accident report, he said there were 38 gallons of fuel on board the airplane prior to departing Richfield Municipal Airport, Richfield, Utah at 1000. He flew a 1 hour and 10 minute flight to Needles Outpost (no services). At 1300, he departed Needles Outpost and flew a return flight of 1 hour and 20 minutes. Approximately 7 miles east of Richfield, the engine lost power. He made an emergency landing in a field approximately 3/4 of a mile east of Richfield Municipal Airport. The airplane hit a berm during the landing roll. The nose landing gear collapsed and was torn off the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the firewall, right wing spar and the right wing tip. The pilot also stated, "I think my reading of the fuel quantity in the site tube was in error. While I was measuring the fuel, I was interrupted, and I think I mentally recorded the wrong amount of fuel, resulting in a fuel starvation accident." An airframe and powerplant mechanic, from Richfield Aero Partners, Richfield Municipal Airport, said his examination revealed that, both fuel tank gauges were indicating "empty," the mixture control lever was in the "full rich" position, and the fuel selector was in the "both" position. He also stated that he drained both fuel tanks and recovered 2 and 1/2 gallons of fuel from the left fuel tank and 0 gallons of fuel from the right fuel tank.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 MST
Nearest AirportOff Airport (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN4918D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470L · Reciprocating · 230
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 62 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind150° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F / 27 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time20:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data