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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

July 10, 2004 · Cessna 182A · N3955D

Walterboro, SC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 10, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Walterboro, SC
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N3955D
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04CA151

The pilot stated that after skydivers exited the aircraft, he began a descent from 10,500 feet msl in the direction of the airport. He stated that upon reaching 2000 feet msl, he enriched the mixture, and the engine lost power. He stated he elected to land on a nearby road. The airplane collided with a pick-up truck and departed the road to the right. During the examination of the airplane, there was no fuel leak or fuel odor observed at the scene or on the airframe. There was no fuel present in the left fuel tank and trace amount of fuel recovered in the right fuel tank. During the post-accident examination of the airplane, the fuel tank was refueled and a functional engine run was accomplished. There were no mechanical anomalies noted during the examination of the airplane.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning of fuel required for the flight, which resulted in fuel exhaustion and the subsequent loss of engine power.

Full Narrative

On July 10, 2004, at 1430 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 182A, N3955D, registered to and operated by Skydive Walterboro, collided with a truck on Highway 17A/Cottageville Highway while attempting an emergency landing in Walterboro, South Carolina. The business flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of accident and no flight plan was filed. The pilot was not injured, and the truck driver was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight originated at Lowcountry Regional Airport, Walterboro, South Carolina on July 10, 2004, at 1400. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was a skydiving mission. He stated that after skydivers exited the aircraft, he began a descent from 10,500 feet msl in the direction of the airport. He stated that upon reaching 2000 feet msl, he enriched the mixture, and the engine lost power. He stated he turned the airplane directly toward the airport, but realized he would not make it and elected to land on a nearby road. During the emergency landing, the airplane collided with a pick-up truck and departed the road to the right. The pilot stated that his manager refueled the right wing fuel tank prior to the first group of jumpers. The accident flight occurred on the third flight after refueling. The pilot further stated that he departed on the accident flight with 1/4 tank of fuel indicated on the fuel gauges. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the firewall was buckled, the right side of the engine cowling and fuselage were crushed, rivets securing the engine cowling to the fuselage were sheared, the right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing strut was bent, and the right wing tip was partially separated from the wing. There was no fuel leak or fuel odor observed at the scene or on the airframe. There was no fuel present in the left fuel tank and a trace amount of fuel recovered in the right fuel tank. Examination of the engine revealed no visible external or internal component damage. During the post-accident examination of the airplane, the fuel tank was refueled and a functional engine run was accomplished. There were no mechanical anomalies noted during the examination of the airplane.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 EDT
Nearest AirportLow Country Regional (0nm SE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN3955D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-470 · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 6 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 25000 ft
Altimeter30.12 inHg
Observation Time17:56
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data