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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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August 18, 2022 · Cessna 195 · N1097D

El Cajon, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 18, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
El Cajon, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 195 (1951)
Tail Number
N1097D
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR22LA308

The airplane had recently undergone maintenance, during which time the mechanic removed the fuel from the wings. The pilot stated that after completing the maintenance, the mechanic told him that he added the fuel back in the wings, so the pilot did not add any additional fuel. The pilot checked the quantity on the fuel gauges, but they were erroneous. He did not verify the quantity by doing a visual check of the actual fluid onboard. After departure, the engine stopped producing power due to fuel exhaustion. The pilot made an off-airport landing on a freeway and the airplane came to rest adjacent to an onramp, about three miles short of the runway.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s failure to verify the fuel quantity prior to departure, which led to a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

Full Narrative

On August 18, 2022, at 1035 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 195, N1097D, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near El Cajon, California. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane had recently undergone maintenance. The mechanic performing the maintenance stated that he removed the right wing as part of a repair. He additionally drained all the fuel from both wings to enable him to re-seal both wings’ fuel sending units. The pilot further stated that after completing the maintenance, the mechanic told him that he added the fuel back in the wings, adding about seven gallons in each tank. The pilot did not add any additional fuel. The pilot added that the accident flight was the first flight after the maintenance. He intended to depart Gillespie Field, San Diego, California, and stay in the traffic pattern. At 1023, the airplane departed from runway 27R. At 1033 the pilot declared an emergency to air traffic control stating he had experienced a full electrical failure. He maneuvered the airplane back toward the runway and the engine suddenly stopped producing power. He attempted to restart the engine to no avail. He made an off-airport landing on a freeway and the airplane came to rest adjacent to an onramp, about three-miles short of the runway. The recovery personnel stated that they recovered about 3-3.5 gallons of fuel at the accident site. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector stated that there was no fuel leakage at the accident site. The pilot stated that although he checked the quantity on the fuel gauges, they were erroneous. He did not verify the quantity by doing a visual check of the actual fuel on board. He reported that the mechanic had stolen the fuel and didn’t add it back to the wing tanks. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:35 PDT
Nearest AirportGillespie Fld (0nm ESE)
Runway27R
Runway Length5342 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 195
Tail NumberN1097D
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · R755A · Reciprocating · 300
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time10:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data