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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

October 18, 2002 · Cessna 182B · N2718G

Hartwood, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 18, 2002
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Hartwood, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 182B
Tail Number
N2718G
Operator
Hartwood Aviation
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA009

Approximately 1 hour into flight, the engine lost all power, and the pilot attempted a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a tree located at the approach end of the field. The pilot initially reported that he departed with 2 inches of fuel in each tank, with the intention of flying 1 hour. The pilot subsequently stated that he had departed with 23 gallons of fuel. Examination of the airplane revealed that there was no fuel in either fuel tank.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On October 18, 2002, about 1512 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182B, N2718G, was substantially damaged during a forced landing, following a loss of engine power in cruise flight near Hartwood, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local maintenance flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the Virginia State Police, the pilot reported that he departed Hartwood Airport (8W8), Somerville, Virginia, with "2 inches" of fuel in each tank. The pilot flew over the local area for approximately 1 hour, before the engine lost all power, and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. In a subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had departed 8W8 with 23 gallons of fuel, with the intention of conducting a 1 hour maintenance flight. The pilot further stated that prior to the flight, the sparkplugs were changed, and some minor adjustments were made to the engine. According to the tachometer, after 1 hour, while descending toward 8W8, the engine lost all power. The pilot established a best glide speed of 70-75 mph, and moved the fuel selector through its entire range, with no change in engine performance. The power loss occurred about 2,500 feet msl, over a wooded area. The pilot did not think he could glide the airplane to 8W8, and attempted to land in a field. During the landing, the airplane stuck a tree at the approach end of the field. It then came to rest in the field, at an approximate 80 degree nose down attitude. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that their was no fuel in either fuel tank.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:12 EDT
Nearest AirportHARTWOOD (0nm S)
Runway35
Runway Length2470 ft
Runway Width35 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182B
Tail NumberN2718G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHartwood Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 69 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 37 C
Altimeter30.15 inHg
Observation Time18:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data